Work Place Safety

Question

When do employees who work with pesticides need medical monitoring (blood testing for cholinesterase levels)?

Answer

The trigger for this blood test requirement is working with a “pesticide with the signal word “DANGER” or “WARNING” that contains an organophosphate or carbamate…”  This comes from California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Section 6728 a. 

 

The procedures that the RECs use (and I would recommend for a CE office as well) for this testing are contained in the REC Policy and Procedure: AGRICULTURAL WORKER PROTECTION STANDARD, Section E (starting on page 10). 

 

Another relevant reference is ANR Administrative Handbook Section 281: POLICY ON PESTICIDES AND RELATED CHEMICALS: USE AND EXPERIMENTATION.  Section IV.D.1.e. Medical Supervision.

 

Last Updated

October 18, 2010