What is the purpose of worker protection standards (WPS) in pesticide applications?

• A. To ensure workers receive higher wages.
• B. To protect agricultural workers from pesticide exposure through training, PPE, decontamination supplies, and entry restrictions.
• C. To promote pesticide use as fast as possible.
• D. To regulate fertilizer use.

Answer: (B)

The purpose of worker protection standards is to reduce the risk of pesticide exposure for agricultural workers by putting protective measures in place. Training helps workers understand the hazards, proper handling, and safe practices tied to the pesticides they may encounter. Providing the right personal protective equipment gives a physical barrier between the worker and the chemical. Decontamination supplies and facilities ensure workers can clean up and receive immediate care if exposure occurs. Entry restrictions limit who can enter treated areas and when, reducing the chance of exposure during application and for a period afterward. These elements together create a safer work environment around pesticide use. The other options don’t fit because WPS is about safety and exposure control, not about wages, fertilizer regulation, or speeding up pesticide use.