Temporary Staffing – Risks for Cannabis Industry
The cannabis process involves many steps, from planting and growing cannabis to extracting it to create products to sell in medical and recreational dispensaries. At every stage of the process, temporary workers might fill important roles. However, temporary workers in the cannabis industry face a variety of workplace injury and accident risks.
Common Risks for Temporary Cannabis Industry Workers
Repetitive motion injuries
- At some stages of the cannabis production process, like trimming plants or packaging products, temporary workers might make the same movements throughout their workday. This increases their risk of repetitive motion injuries, such as tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Chemical exposure
- If a temporary worker fills a role in cannabis cultivation, they might be exposed to chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers. If they are frequently or intensely exposed to chemicals like these, they can suffer from issues like skin irritation, eye irritation, and respiratory complications. Chemical exposure can also occur from cleaning products used at other stages of the cannabis production process, like through cleaning chemicals at a dispensary or laboratory.
Other exposure risks
- Along with chemicals, workers might be exposed to substances like mold and dust. Substances like these can lead to health issues, including an increased risk of respiratory conditions like asthma.
Machinery and tool accidents
- Workers in the cannabis industry use a variety of tools and machinery, from trimmers to packaging machinery. If equipment and tools are poorly maintained or improperly handled, they can lead to many different types of injuries, including lacerations, struck-by accidents, and traumatic amputations.
Heat-related illnesses
- At some stages of the process, temporary workers in the cannabis industry might work in greenhouses or other indoor growing areas. These worksites can often be hot and humid, which increase the risk of heat-related conditions like heatstroke and dehydration.
Slip-and-falls
- Cannabis facilities might have many slip-and-fall risks, like wet floors or cluttered walkways. If a temporary worker suffers a slip-and-fall, they can experience injuries like back pain.
Violence
- In rare cases, temporary workers in the cannabis industry might face violent encounters, like a robbery of a dispensary. If they are involved in a violent incident, workers might face serious injuries, like traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding from gunshot wounds. Violent altercations can also lead to mental health issues, like anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder.
While accidents like slip-and-falls and weather-related illnesses can affect all workers, temporary workers are often at a higher risk. This is because they may not receive the necessary safety training, or because they are not as familiar with common workplace hazards.
At Work Comp Business Insurance Solutions, we help temporary staffing business owners find the best Workers’ Compensation and payroll solutions. To learn more about our services and how we can help your temporary staffing business, visit us online at https://www.wcbis.com.
