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August 19, 2003
Public hearings scheduled for pesticide rules
TUMWATER - The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) will hold public
hearings in seven communities across the state during the next three weeks
to receive public comments on a proposed regulation that would require employers
to provide blood testing (cholinesterase monitoring) for agricultural workers
who handle certain pesticides.
The proposed rule would apply to all agricultural employers and workers covered
by the Safety Standards for Agriculture and the pesticide Worker Protection
Standard.
Cholinesterase is a protein produced by the body to help control nerve function.
Exposure to organophosphate and n-methyl-carbamate pesticides can decrease
the amount of available cholinesterase. Monitoring cholinesterase levels in
the blood could help identify and prevent overexposure by workers.
The proposed rule was developed at the direction of the Washington Supreme
Court following a successful lawsuit by farm workers who were exposed to organophosphate
and n-methyl-carbamate pesticides.
L&I will have Spanish-speaking staff at all of the hearings to help with
translation. In addition, the August 28 meeting in Yakima will provide simultaneous
interpretation of both English and Spanish. The hearings, all being held in
the evening, will be held as follows:
- Moses Lake - Aug. 26, 6:00 p.m., Best Western Hallmark Inn, 3000 Marina
Drive
- Kennewick - Aug. 27, 6:00 p.m., Red Lion Hotel/Columbia Center, No. 1101
Columbia Blvd.
- Yakima - Aug. 28, 6:00 p.m., Red Lion Hotel/Yakima Gateway, 9 North 9th
Street
- Wenatchee - Sept. 2, 6:00 p.m., Wenatchee Convention Center, 221 North
Wenatchee Avenue
- Winthrop - Sept. 3, 6:00 p.m., Winthrop Barn, 51 North Highway 20
- Mount Vernon - Sept. 4, 6:00 p.m., Best Western Cottontree Inn, 2401 Riverside
Drive
- Tumwater - Sept. 8, 5:00 p.m., Department of Labor and Industries, 7273
Linderson Way SW
Please see the L&I web site at www.LNI.wa.gov for the complete text of the proposed rule and frequently
asked questions,
or call 360-902-5522 or 1-800-423-7233.
Written comments must be received by September 12, 2003, and may be sent to
mooc235@LNI.wa.gov or mailed to: Cindy
Ireland, Project Manager, WISHA Services Division, PO Box 44620, Olympia,
WA 98504-4620.
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Radio broadcast version:
The Department of Labor and Industries will hold seven public hearings
to receive comments on a proposed rule that will require agricultural
employers to provide blood testing for workers who handle certain types
of pesticides.
Exposure to these pesticides can interfere with nerve
function, and blood testing can help identify and prevent overexposure
in workers.
For complete information on the proposal and the hearing
dates, please call 360-902-5522 or see the L&I web site at: www.LNI.wa.gov.
Spanish-speaking staff will be available at the hearings to help with
translation, and simultaneous translation in both English and Spanish
will be provided at the Yakima hearing. |
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For media information, call Elaine Fischer at 360-902-5413; e-mail: nele235@LNI.wa.gov
Spanish version
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