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HomeFood and Agricultural CodeDiv. 7Ch. 2Art. 10.5§ 12981 Pesticide Worker Reentry Rules

§ 12981 Pesticide Worker Reentry Rules

Food and Agricultural Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 12981 Pesticide Worker Reentry Rules

This law lets the state director create rules for how workers can safely return to areas that were sprayed with pesticides, including options for timing or testing residue levels, and sets out other safety requirements like hand washing, protective gear, and posting signs.

Key Takeaways

  • •The director can make rules about when workers can re-enter pesticide‑treated areas, using either time limits or residue testing.
  • •If the residue‑testing rule is used, the person in charge may be charged a fee to cover analysis costs, but the fee cannot exceed the actual cost.
  • •All regulations must be posted in both English and Spanish and cover things like hand‑washing stations, protective equipment, and storage of pesticides.

Example

A farmer sprays a pesticide on an orchard and wants workers to re-enter the field.

The farmer can either wait a set amount of time before letting workers back in, or they can have the field tested for pesticide residue. If they choose the testing option, they may be charged a small fee to cover the cost of the analysis.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12981 Pesticide Worker Reentry Rules

The director shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this article. Such regulations shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following subjects: (a) Restricting worker reentry into areas treated with pesticides determined by the director to be hazardous to worker safety by using either or both of the following: (1) Time limits. (2) Pesticide residue levels on treated plant parts determined by scientific analysis to not be a significant factor in cholinesterase depression or other health effects. When the director has adopted regulations pursuant to both paragraphs (1) and (2), the person in control of the area treated with the pesticide shall have the option of following regulations adopted pursuant to either paragraph (1) or (2). If the person in control of the area treated with the pesticide chooses to follow regulations adopted pursuant to paragraph (2), the director may establish and charge the person a fee necessary to cover any costs of analysis or costs incurred by the director or commissioner in carrying out regulations adopted pursuant to paragraph (2). The regulations shall include a procedure for the collection of the fee, and the fee shall not exceed actual cost. (b) Handling of pesticides. (c) Hand washing facilities. (d) Farm storage and commercial warehousing of pesticides. (e) Protective devices, including, but not limited to, respirators and eyeglasses. (f) Posting, in English and Spanish, of fields, areas, adjacent areas or fields, or storage areas. The State Department of Health Services shall participate in the development of any regulations adopted pursuant to this article. Such regulations that relate to health effects shall be based upon the recommendations of the State Department of Health Services. The original written recommendations of the State Department of Health Services, any subsequent revisions of those recommendations, and the supporting evidence and data upon which the recommendations were based shall be made available upon request to any person. (Amended by Stats. 1980, Ch. 926. Effective September 18, 1980. Note: See this section as modified on July 17, 1991, in Governor's Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1991.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Related Statutes

  • § 12980 Pesticide Worker Safety Regulations
  • § 12982 Pesticide Hazard Enforcement
  • § 12985 Worker Safety Reentry Violation
  • § 12986 Aerial Pest Control Training
  • § 12987 Pesticide Registrant Data Submission

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 12981.
View Official Source