EPA Strengthens Farmworker and Community Safety with Final AEZ Rule and Interim Guidance

On 22 November 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of interim guidance and additional resources to support implementation of the final rule for the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ).

The AEZ is a crucial safety measure that protects workers and bystanders from pesticide exposure during outdoor applications. This area surrounds the application equipment and moves with it during use. It can extend beyond the boundaries of an agricultural establishment to include areas like school grounds or residential neighbourhoods.

What is the AEZ Rule?

The Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ) is a safety feature in the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) that provides a buffer zone around pesticide application equipment to protect workers and bystanders from exposure. The AEZ can be extended beyond agricultural operations to include residential areas. Recent modifications to the AEZ rule enhance these protections by increasing the size and breadth of the zone and requiring applicators to stop activities if people are present in the AEZ, regardless of property borders. The updated rule aims to limit pesticide exposure, improve worker health, and protect communities.
In 2023, EPA proposed a regulation to reinstate and enhance the 2015 AEZ rules, which was finalised in October 2024.

Key Highlights of the Final Rule and Interim Guidance

• The final regulation strengthens protections for farmworkers, their families, and adjacent communities by expanding the AEZ to include workers outside the agricultural institution.

• The interim guidance explains how to comply with AEZs that extend off-property, how to calculate the necessary size depending on droplet size, and how to recognise exemptions for immediate family members.

• EPA is seeking input on the interim guidance and recommendations for additional resources.

Why the Final Rule is a Game-Changer?

• Reduced pesticide exposure to farmworkers and nearby communities.

• Improved employee health, resulting in reduced lost wages, medical expenses, and work/school absences.

• Improved understanding of AEZ standards for applicators and agricultural facilities.

EPA is dedicated to protecting the health and safety of agricultural workers, their families, and the general public from pesticide exposure.

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