Officials discuss new program on workplace hazards in the cannabis industry

Federal officials from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) on Tuesday discussed a new program aimed at identifying and addressing workplace hazards in Colorado's legal cannabis industry, part of an effort to reduce the risk of occupational injury, illness and death at marijuana businesses.

Colorado's marijuana industry has already seen three workplace fatalities in the past seven years, Meredith Post, a compliance assistance specialist in OSHA's Denver office, said on a webinar about the new program—although the incidents were "not necessarily related to the actual process of manufacturing the cannabis," she clarified.

Meanwhile, compliance officers have conducted nearly four dozen site inspections within the state-legal industry and found hazards such as lack of respiratory protection and personal protective equipment, electrical risks, improper handling and storage of flammable liquids, slip-and-fall dangers and others.

Post said at Wednesday's meeting that while the federal agency has been inspecting state-licensed marijuana businesses since legalization began, the goal of the new Local Emphasis Program for Cannabis Industries is aimed at curbing a growing number of workplace incidents around marijuana production and processing.