The International Center for Personal Protective Equipment (ICPPE) was established in 2015 as a Center of Excellence within the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore. 

As a neutral entity, it is dedicated to advancing research, outreach and other activities by working collaboratively with other institutions and entities. 

It connects regulatory agencies, industry groups, scientists, the Food and Agriculture Organization and other stakeholders to promote the health and safety of pesticide operators and re-entry workers.

To achieve its mission, ICPPE has successfully harnessed a global network of expertise to develop an online tool to support risk assessment, mitigation and communication. 

Four Pillars of Operator Safety

Effective pesticides operator health and safety is considered to be based on four pillars:

1. Risk assessment
2. Risk mitigation
3. Risk communication
4. Information and training of pesticide users

However, in many regions one or more of these pillars could be improved further. 

This starts with a proper operator risk assessment considering realistic risk mitigation measures, followed by clear and concise risk communication, and finally the implementation of risk reduction measures through proper information and training of extension agents, farmers and other pesticide users.

The Outcomes

• Global Operator Exposure (OpEx) Database and Model for hand-held applications
• Dermal Exposure Default Values for the ICPPE Tool
• Equivalencies based on OpEx studies for risk mitigation based on the ISO 27065 protective clothing performance standard. Research on partial and whole-body personal protective equipment (PPE) to mitigate risk
• Pictograms and consistent statements for consistent communication of PPE requirements on the pesticide product label

More Information

https://www.icppe.net

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