State: Farmworkers to ‘shelter in place’ from pesticides

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Farmers will be allowed to let farmworkers and their families “shelter in place” in their on-site housing when aerial pesticides are being sprayed.

The Capital Press reported Tuesday that Oregon farmers had objected to the updated rules that required the evacuation of workers within 100 feet of where trucks and planes are spraying pesticides.

But fruit growers, in particular, spray in the early morning and say they would have to wake farmworkers up and force them to leave their housing to comply with the rules.

The Oregon Occupational Health and Safety Administration now says workers can remain in their housing during early-morning spraying as long as doors, windows and air intakes are closed and the pesticides don’t require the use of a respirator on the label.

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Information from: Capital Press, http://www.capitalpress.com/washington