Farm worker protection.

After settlements with four Puerto Rico farms, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Aug. 20 it is sending a message to farm owners that protecting their workers must be their first priority. Owners of Finca Roman Farm, Anthuriums de Puerto Rico and the Javier Quiles Farm, all in Adjuntas, and the owner of Finca Los Tres Picachos in Jayuya, failed to display pesticide application information for farm workers and pesticide handlers. Several of the owners also failed to provide workers with training, protective equipment or ways to wash off residual pesticides before leaving the work sites. Some also failed to provide medical care information to workers and pesticide handlers and did not follow the pesticide label instructions for proper pesticide use and disposal. Following an Oct. 2007 complaint filed by EPA, each farm has agreed to pay a civil penalty, and to display information on pesticide application, on pesticide safety and emergency medical care, and to provide decontamination supplies for workers and handlers, personal protective equipment, and pesticide safety training for workers and handlers. The farms have agreed to meet deadlines set by the EPA to report on progress that has been made under the settlements. Details: Beth Totman (212) 6373662, Email: [e-mail]. And: Web: www.pa.gov/compliance/monitoring/programs/fifra/ wps.html.