Which agricultural areas are generally exempt from WPS regulations?

The agricultural areas generally exempt from Worker Protection Standard (WPS) regulations primarily include pastures and rangeland. WPS is a set of regulations designed to protect agricultural workers and handlers from exposure to pesticides. However, certain environments, such as pastures and rangeland, are often not included under these regulations because they typically do not involve the use of pesticides in the same way that crop production areas do.

In pastures and rangeland, the focus is often on livestock grazing rather than the intensive agricultural practices associated with the other listed options, which can include higher levels of pesticide application. Consequently, this exemption reflects the regulatory intent to ensure the safety of workers in environments where the risk of exposure to pesticides is minimal or absent.

In contrast, areas like field crops, turfgrass, greenhouses, orchards, and horticultural nurseries are subject to WPS regulations because these settings typically involve the application of pesticides that can pose risks to workers.