OSHA programs recommended for cannabis operators
As the cannabis industry continues to grow, employers, employees, and regulators need to work together to ensure a safe working environment.
We’re continuing to see an upward trend in significant safety incidents that are largely preventable.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency responsible for ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for all employees. OSHA has established guidelines and standards that employers in various industries must follow to protect their workers from harm. These guidelines cover a wide range of safety issues; from providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to conducting regular safety training. Regrettably, the federal classification of cannabis as a controlled substance may create uncertainty for operators regarding the guidelines for ensuring the safety of cannabis workers.
Some states have developed their own state-specific OSHA programs that focus on providing guidance and regulations tailored to the unique risks inherent to cannabis industries within their regions. California and Oregon are part of this small minority with fully functional state-specific OSHA programs and standards, providing guidance for their jurisdiction.
Delta Compliance has compiled a list, with linked resources, of recommended OSHA standards that cannabis operators should consider having in place to ensure employee safety, and compliance will all promulgated common law mandates and requirements.
Respiratory Protection/ Exposures to Airborne Contaminants
Hazardous Energy – Lockout/Tagout
Prohibition of Smoking in the Workplace
The cannabis industry is witnessing an upsurge in worker unions as employees recognize the risk and significance of workplace safety. With or without unionization, everyone deserves to leave work in the same health and condition in which they arrive. Contact Delta Compliance for OSHA-30-certified, expert guidance on how to operate OSHA-compliant safety programs at your facility.
Talya Mayfield is the CEO and Principal Consultant for Delta Compliance Consulting. Talya has a B.S. in Biology, an M.S. in Industrial Engineering Management, and a Certificate in Lean Six Sigma. She spent 8 years in cement manufacturing and hazardous waste working on a range of environmental compliance requirements, from improving safety and employee exposure, to hazardous material management and disposal permitting. She has now merged this expertise with her love of all things cannabis, and launched Delta Compliance Consulting to help cannabis operators run safe, compliant and successful facilities.
