Pesticides can be essential in protecting crops and ensuring the harvest of healthy, delicious fruits and vegetables we’re fortunate to have in Ontario. While they are important for maintaining healthy crops, their use also comes with a responsibility: to protect the workers who handle them and work around them. This includes proper training, clear safety guidelines and the use of protective equipment to minimize any risks and ensure a safe working environment.
Mandatory training is required for working with pesticides
Proper training is an essential part of using pesticides safely and effectively. In Ontario, it is mandatory for all individuals who purchase, handle, mix and apply pesticides to receive specific training and become certified under the Ontario Pesticide Education Program (OPEP). This includes international agricultural workers who are working with pesticides.
This essential training covers the safe handling and application of these products, which helps minimize risks and ensures that workers are equipped with the knowledge they need to be safe. Certification includes taking a course and completing an exam to receive the “Certified Farmer” designation or may include on-farm instruction by certified trainers to become a qualified “Farmer Assistant”. To facilitate training, in addition to English and French, on-farm instruction for farmer assistants is currently also offered in Spanish, Low German, and Thai.
It is the responsibility of the certified pesticide applicator to ensure safety of all workers and the public during and after application. This includes communicating any entry or work restrictions that may be required following the application. Employers must ensure that their workers have access to appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) as required on product labels. Safety information for both workers who use pesticides, along with those who may work nearby are found on the label of each product.
Product labels: A key source of information
Registered pesticide products come with detailed health and safety information on their labels which can be found with the product itself and also available online. These labels are a resource for workers handling pesticides, providing clear guidelines on how to protect themselves and those around them. The information covers all workers, including safety instructions for workers mixing and applying the products, any precautions for workers working in treated crops after application and any harvest delay required for consumers who will eat the treated produce.
Product labels are available in English and French – the two languages in which certified farmers are eligible to write their exams. It is the certified farmer’s responsibility to ensure that anyone on the farm who requires label information, such as certified farmer assistants, understands these instructions.
This extensive labeling system is designed to protect both agricultural workers and consumers, ensuring that potential risks are mitigated appropriately.
Ongoing education
In addition to the training workers receive on the farm, there are many opportunities for continued learning from external organizations. Groups like OPEP regularly visit international agricultural worker events to discuss pesticide safety. Resources available through OPEP include general pesticide safety information for farm workers who are not applying pesticides, including a basic safety manual also available in Spanish. Other organizations, like Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW), also provide similar resources to support the safety and well-being of workers on the farm.
Keeping everyone safe on the farm
Every job carries certain risks, and agriculture is no different. From operating machinery to working around pesticide-treated crops, safety is a key part of farm life. By following proper procedures and ensuring clear training in multiple languages, Ontario farms are working to create a safe and supportive environment for everyone.
With proper gear, good training and clear safety guidelines, farms can stay safe and productive. These efforts help make sure everyone can enjoy working on the farm while growing the healthy food we all depend on.