Exposure Risks for Temporary Workers in Cannabis
In the unique cannabis industry, workers face many unique risks! This includes chemical exposure risks, which are more likely to affect temporary cannabis industry workers, who might not receive the proper training.
Common Exposure Risks in the Cannabis Industry
In the cannabis industry, some substances that can affect temporary workers include:
- Pesticides: Pesticides are sometimes used to protect cannabis crops from pests and diseases. However, intense or frequent exposure to pesticides can cause problems for temporary workers in the cannabis industry, including skin irritation and eye irritation.
- Herbicides: Similar to pesticides, herbicides are used to control weeds. Like pesticides, exposure to herbicides can lead to many different health issues.
- Insecticides: Along with pesticides and herbicides, cannabis workers might also use insecticides to protect crops from bugs. Exposure to insecticides can lead to health issues, including skin rashes and respiratory damage.
- Fertilizers: Cannabis workers may often use fertilizer to grow their products. While it plays a role in growing cannabis, fertilizers contain chemicals, including potassium and nitrous. In high qualities, these chemicals can pose health issues. Fertilizer can also be flammable if improperly handled or stored, leading to explosion and fire risks.
- Mold and mildew: Mold and mildew often grow in cannabis facilities due to the high humidity environment. If temporary workers are exposed to mold and mildew, it can lead to respiratory problems, as well as exacerbate pre-existing conditions like allergies or asthma.
Protecting Your Cannabis Worker From Exposure Risks
If your temporary cannabis workers use chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers, it’s important to take steps to protect them from common chemical exposure risks. These steps include:
- Offering training and education on how to properly handle and store potentially dangerous substances like fertilizer or insecticides
- Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves or goggles to combat common exposure risks and injuries
- Encouraging a culture of safety and responsibility around chemical storage
- Implementing risk management strategies to identify common exposure risks, like improperly stored fertilizer
- Taking immediate steps to address, reduce, and prevent risks
- Ensuring compliance with all state and federal laws, as well as any regulations that pertain specifically to your agricultural industry
Additionally, you should also offer strong Workers’ Compensation coverage options at your cannabis industry business. After a chemical exposure incident or other workplace accident, Workers’ Compensation coverage helps your employees find the support you need, plus protects your business against liability issues.
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.
