On July 18, 2024, the Englewood and Denver area offices of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a Local Emphasis Program (LEP) targeted at identifying and reducing workplace hazards associated with cannabis processing, growing, cultivation, and product manufacturing.
Donna Pryor
A member of Husch Blackwell’s Energy & Natural Resources group, Donna focuses on commercial and administrative litigation related to mine safety and occupational safety and health. She also assists clients in crisis management and strategic communications related to workplace health and safety issues.
Donna has extensive experience in the production of precious metals, aggregates, cement, industrial minerals, coal, salt, potash, phosphate, granite, limestone, and oil and gas. She combines her legal skills and government knowledge with her litigation prowess for clients facing complex problems.
OSHA Investigates Cannabis Cultivation Facilities for Respiratory Hazards
In January of 2022, a worker in a Massachusetts cannabis cultivation facility died because of “the hazards of ground cannabis dust,” according to a report issued by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).
Cannabis Infused-Product Manufacturer Cited by Cal/OSHA
Some cannabis cultivators and manufacturers believe they are exempt from OSHA visits because the Federal government does not recognize cannabis as a legal drug. On June 19, 2018, a worker in a California cannabis manufacturing facility was using propane to extract oil from cannabis flowers. The propane ignited and exploded, leaving the employee with serious injuries. The…