As the commercial cannabis industry continues to boom across the United States, processing facilities are paying more attention to the PPE they need to keep workers protected, prepared, and productive.
Cannabis is not yet regulated federally, but occupational safety and health requirements still apply to all cannabis growers and processors. OSHA requires PPE for cannabis facilities to meet the standards of other facilities producing and processing biological materials, and as legalization spreads, compliance standards will only become more stringent.
To reduce the risks your employees face and avoid costly compliance issues, cannabis processing and growing operations in the U.S. and around the world must invest in the best protective clothing, respiratory protection, hearing protection, and all other forms of PPE.
Like any other laboratory environment, workers in cannabis testing labs need to be equipped with cutting-edge PPE technology that prevents contamination and keeps the workspace sterile.
Laboratory managers and technicians should wear protective clothing, including fit tested respiratory protection and high-quality lab coats. Depending on the nature of their work, they may need additional PPE, like safety glasses if they’re exposed to UV light, or indirect venting goggles if they work with aerosolized chemicals.
Maintenance workers entering a lab site should also wear protective gear to prevent injury and contamination.
Eye and face protection are essential safety tools in a cannabis-centric workspace. They protect workers’ most sensitive body parts from potential hazards and ensure that your cannabis won’t be contaminated by stray hairs or bodily fluids. Eye and face PPE may include:
Protect the eyes and faces of your employees and keep your product contaminant free. Order now.
Some of the most common dangers cannabis workers face are respiratory hazards, including biological hazards such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and chemical hazards from the many compounds used in growing, processing, testing, and purifying cannabis.
Depending on the specific capacities and materials used in your lab, workers may need to use an air purifying respirator or a full facepiece respirator.
Stock up on essential masks and respirators to stay compliant.
While the PPE they need may be similar to what laboratory workers use, employees in cannabis processing facilities have their own distinct PPE needs. The workplace requirements for each type of cannabis processing facility are different, so make sure you invest in the right PPE for your specific type of facility.
Facilities that make cannabis edibles are held to the same safety standards as any other facility that processes food products. That means that edibles chefs and edibles processors should be equipped with the same PPE used by other food manufacturing professionals, including hair nets, beard covers, masks, and protective clothing.
Packagers and processors working with cannabis products need to be protected according to the highest OSHA standards for their specific type of labor. In addition to protective clothing, they should also be equipped with face masks and respirators.
Workers in the extraction space handle volatile and often potentially hazardous compounds, so it’s particularly important that they have the PPE they need. Master extractors, extraction technicians, and concentrates processors should be outfitted with the highest quality protective gear, including respirators, masks, skin protection, and more.
Last but not least, don’t overlook the needs of your maintenance staff when you determine PPE requirements. Tasked with cleaning up the materials extraction and processing professionals use throughout the day, they need the same standard of PPE to keep them safe.
Workers in cannabis processing facilities frequently encounter chemicals involved in cannabis production, which can cause skin rashes, irritation, or even chemical burns. Skin protection keeps exposed skin under wraps and prevents workplace injuries. PPE to protect skin in cannabis processing facilities includes:
These skin protection essentials keep your production flowing and your workers safe.
Exposure to the chemical and biological hazards present in every cannabis processing facility can lead to swollen or itchy eyes, as employees come into contact with THC, chemicals, and small airborne projectiles and debris. Keep employees protected with essential PPE, including:
Prevent contamination and protect your employees with eye and face protection from GrowShield.
Routinely used in growing and processing operations, respiratory protection prevents worksite contaminants such as chemical, cleaning agents, and biological hazards from harming employees.
Using high-quality masks and respirators can prevent both short and long-term impacts on worker health and well being, ensuring your long-term profitability and a higher level of satisfaction for all team members.
Order essential respiratory protection today. Click here to request a meeting with GrowShield.
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