Cannabis Industry – Pesticide and Chemical Risks
If your business is involved in the growing or production of cannabis, you know your product isn’t the most dangerous substance around! While growing or handling cannabis, your employees can be exposed to a wide variety of harmful substances.
Common Exposure Risks in the Cannabis Industry
- Pesticides/Herbicides: At the cultivation stage, pesticides and herbicides are often used to control pests and weeds. However, if pesticides and herbicides are handled improperly or if workers are exposed to them in extreme amounts, they can lead to health problems like skin irritation and respiratory troubles.
- Fungicides: Like herbicides and pesticides, fungicides may also be used to protect cannabis crops from fungus. If cannabis industry workers are frequently or excessively exposed to fungicides, it can lead to eye and skin irritation, respiratory damage, and an increased risk of allergic reactions for some workers.
- Fertilizers: While fertilizers are a key part of successfully growing cannabis products, they also put cannabis workers are risk of serious injuries, including chemical burns if fertilizer is mixed or used improperly.
- Solvents: To extract and process cannabis products, workers may use solvents like butane and ethanol. These products can be highly flammable, increasing the risk of fire and burn injuries.
- Cleaning products: Workers in cannabis processing or distribution facilities might use a variety of cleaning products to maintain a sanitized workplace. However, overuse or overexposure to certain products can lead to issues like skin, eye, and respiratory irritation.
- CO2: If cannabis is grown indoors, carbon dioxide (CO2) might be used to enhance and encourage growth. If cannabis workers are exposed to high levels of CO2, it can lead to serious health issues, including oxygen deprivation. This can have serious, sometimes fatal consequences.
Combating Exposure Risks
To protect their employees from risks like these, there are many steps business owners in the cannabis industry can take. These include:
- Employee safety training
- Providing the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Proper ventilation
- Regular safety assessments
It’s also crucial to have the right Workers’ Compensation coverage at your cannabis industry business. At Work Comp Business Insurance Solutions, we specialize in helping clients in the cannabis industry obtain Workers’ Compensation insurance. Through our Full PEO product and other offerings, you can find the personalized, affordable Workers’ Compensation coverage you need to protect your cannabis industry workers from CO2, solvents, fertilizers, and other common exposure risks.
At Work Comp Business Insurance Solutions, we help business owners find the best Workers’ Compensation and payroll solutions.
