occupational health branch

Health and Safety in the Cannabis Industry for Employers

If you are a worker, visit Health and Safety in the Cannabis Industry for Workers.

On this page...

Health and Safety Hazards in the Cannabis Industry
Requirements for Employers in California
Help Complying with Requirements
Talk to Your Employees
Other Resources

All employers in the cannabis industry must take steps to protect their employees from all health and Cannabis employee sampling a cannabis plant

Cannabis employee sampling a cannabis plant

safety hazards associated with their work.

This includes, but is not limited to, businesses in the following areas of the cannabis industry:

Cultivation
Processing and Manufacturing
Laboratory Testing
Distribution/Retail
Delivery

Health and Safety Hazards in the Cannabis Industry

The cannabis industry has some of the same health and safety hazards as other industries, such as agriculture, but also carries risks that are unique.

More information about these hazards - and how to prevent them - can be found at the links below.

Allergies and Asthma

The cannabis plant can cause allergies and asthma. Cannabis workers have died from asthma due to exposure to cannabis dust. Prevention strategies include proper ventilation, respiratory protection, or removal from specific tasks if a worker becomes sensitized.
Cannabis Industry Workers at Risk for Allergies and Asthma | Spanish

Pesticides

Cannabis workers can be exposed to pesticides, including disinfectants, especially without proper protective clothing and training. Pesticide exposures can be harmful and cause illness.

Safety Meeting: Pesticide Exposure | Spanish

Ergonomics

Forceful exertion, heavy lifting, inadequate seating, and repeated hand motions during hand-trimming can cause pain and injury.
California’s Ergonomics Standard
Read more about ergonomic concerns in the cannabis industry (PDF) (I.3.4 Ergonomics, Colorado Guide, page 33)
State Fund, Cannabis Solutions (PDF, 2.5 MB) | Hand Trimming Posture (PDF) | Hand Trimming Tools (PDF)

Heat Illness

Many cannabis workers spend long hours in hot temperatures. This may be true of outdoor, indoor, and mixed light operations.

Cal/OSHA Heat illness Prevention Guidance and Resources

Workplace Violence

Incidents of workplace violence may occur in any work setting. But the presence of valuable cannabis plants and products, as well as large amounts of cash in retail locations, makes cannabis businesses and their workers especially vulnerable.

Workplace Violence Prevention in General Industry (Non-Health Care Settings) – Information for Employers (PDF)

Requirements for Employers in California

Develop, implement, and maintain an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), including a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan

The Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) (PDF) MUST comply with the California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 3203 requirements, including:

Identification of a person with authority and responsibility for implementing the IIPP.
A system for ensuring employee compliance.
A system for effective communication.
Procedures to identify health and safety hazards in the workplace.
Procedures to investigate illnesses and injuries.
Procedures for correcting unsafe or unhealthy conditions.
Effective training to all employees.
A procedure for allowing employee access to the IIPP.

Workplace Violence Prevention

The majority of employers are required to establish, implement, and maintain an effective, written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) no later than July 1, 2024. This can be a stand-alone document or incorporated into the workplace IIPP using Cal/OSHA's Model Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (Word).

Follow all occupational health and safety regulations that apply to cannabis businesses

Department of Cannabis Control (DCC)
DCC regulations relevant to worker health and safety in the cannabis industry include, but are not limited to:

Chapter 8. Manufacturers, Article 3. Solvent Use and Safety
Chapter 8. Manufacturers, Article 4. Good Manufacturing Processes, Section 17211.1 Training Program
Chapter 1. All Licensees, Article 5. Security Measures

Cal/OSHA

Cal/OSHA occupational health and safety regulations that may apply to employers in the cannabis industry include, but are not limited to:

Hazardous Substances

Illness and Injury Prevention

Facilities and Equipment Maintenance and Safety

Complete a Cal/OSHA 30-hour General Industry Course

Cannabis employers with two or more employees must ensure that one supervisor and one employee have successfully completed a Cal/OSHA 30-hour general industry outreach training course offered by a training provider that is authorized by an OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Center.

There are three (3) OTI Centers in California:

California State University of Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), College of Continuing & Professional Education
1000 East Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747-0005
(888) 4LA-OSHA or (310) 243-2425

OSHA Training Institute Education Center at CSUDH

Chabot-Las Positas Community College District
5860 Owens Drive, 3rd Floor
Pleasanton, CA 94588
(866) 936-6742 or (925) 416-5162
OSHA Training Institute Education Center

University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
OSHA Training Institute Education Center
6256 Greenwich Drive, #0170-E
San Diego, CA 92122
(800) 358-9206
Occupational Safety and Health, UC San Diego Extended Studies

You can contact the OTIs directly, or visit OSHA's Find a Trainer page to search for an authorized training provider. Attending an in-person classroom course is strongly encouraged.

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Western States Council (WSC) offers a cannabis industry-specific, Cal/OSHA 30-hour general industry course for cannabis workers. For more information or to schedule a training, contact Kristin Heidelbach at kristin@ufcwstatescouncil.org.

Note: Many training providers listed on these webpages offer both Cal/OSHA 30-hour general industry and federal OSHA 30-hour general industry courses, which are different. California employers must be sure to attend the Cal/OSHA course.

For help complying with requirements and ensuring a safe workplace, you can:

Hire a health and safety consultant - find industrial hygiene and Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) professionals near you.
Reach out to Cal/OSHA for consultation through their Consultation Services Branch.
Check with your workers' compensation insurer for guidance and consultation.
Visit Safe at Work California - a program offered by the State Compensation Insurance Fund (State Fund). Trainings, seminars and other safety resources and tools - including an IIPP Builder - are available there.
Visit the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Health Hazard Evaluation website. Workers and employers can request a Health Hazard Evaluation at no cost and receive recommendations based on NIOSH's findings.

Talk to your employees

An important step when evaluating health and safety in your workplace is to talk with your employees and listen carefully to their concerns and challenges. Forming a safety committee (PDF) is a great way to support a safety-minded culture in your workplace.

Read the Guide to Worker Safety and Health in the Marijuana Industry (PDF, 1.6MB)

A complete guide, addressing safety and health concerns in all parts of a cannabis operation. Produced by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.