2022–2023 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Interpreting PPE Statements on Pesticide Labels
Jason A. Ferrell and Frederick M. Fishel
This document helps you understand the revised PPE statements now part of labels on pesticide products used on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses.
Background
Many Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) statements on pesticide labels have been changed as a result of the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides (WPS). These revised statements are more precise on the type of PPE that must be worn by pesticide handlers (mixers, loaders, and applicators). The terminology used to describe the required PPE is now more consistent from label to label. The tables accompanying this document list Label Statements used to describe the PPE required for use by mixers, loaders, and applicators.
The column headed Acceptable PPE describes the options the pesticide handler has when the label statement lists a specific item of PPE. The tables are grouped by subject as follows:
Table 1—Body Protection
Table 2—Hand Protection
Table 3—Eye Protection
Table 4—Foot Protection
Table 5—Respiratory Protection
Table 6—Head Protection
Tables
Table 1.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) statements (body protection).
Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.
About this Publication
This document is PI-16, one of a series of the Agronomy Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date December 1995. Revised annually. Most recent revision March 2022. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. This publication was adapted from Coverall, Gloves, and Other Skin Protection, Protective Eyewear, and Respirators, which were produced through cooperative efforts of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Extension Service, and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). For additional information, contact the UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office, PO Box 110710, Gainesville, FL 32611-0710, (352) 392-4726.
About the Authors
Jason A. Ferrell, professor, Agronomy Department, and director, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants; and Frederick M. Fishel, professor (retired), Agronomy Department, and former director, Pesticide Information Office; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.
