Cal/OSHA Cites Cannabis Company for Safety Violations
Following Explosion that Burned Employee
Fremont—Cal/OSHA
has cited a manufacturer of cannabis products for multiple serious safety
violations following an explosion that seriously injured a worker.
On
June 19, an employee of Future2 Labs Health Services was working alone inside a
128-square-foot portable storage container in Watsonville, using propane to
extract oil from cannabis leaves. The propane ignited and exploded, badly
burning the worker. He was hospitalized for several days.
During
the investigation, Cal/OSHA learned the employer did not test the atmosphere inside
the storage container for flammable gases or vapors before allowing equipment
to be operated. The equipment created a spark that ignited the propane gas
where the employee was working.
“The
process of using a highly flammable gas to extract oil from cannabis leaves is
dangerous,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum. “To prevent injuries and mitigate
risk, employers in the cannabis industry must establish and implement an
effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program, provide effective training to
their employees and comply with safety and health standards.”
Cal/OSHA
cited Santa Cruz-based Future2 Health Services $50,470 in proposed penalties
for 10 violations. The citations include three regulatory, four general and
three serious accident-related violations. The serious accident-related
violations were cited for the employer’s failure to:
·
Protect
workers around flammable vapors
·
Identify
hazards and provide personal protective equipment
·
Maintain
equipment in a safe operating condition.
The other citations were issued for
violations related to inadequate training, failing to establish an emergency
action plan and a hazard communication program. Future2 Labs Health Services
also failed to report a serious workplace injury to Cal/OSHA.
Cal/OSHA’s
Cannabis
Industry Health and Safety webpage provides helpful information
to employers and workers. Workers in the cannabis industry, including those in
cultivation, distribution, retail, testing and manufacturing, are exposed to
hazards covered under existing Cal/OSHA regulations.
A
violation is classified as serious when there is a realistic possibility that
death or serious harm could result from the actual hazard created by the
violation. Violations are classified as accident-related when the injury,
illness or fatality is caused by the violation.
Cal/OSHA
helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every
workplace in California. Cal/OSHA’s Consultation
Services Branch provides free and voluntary assistance to
employers to improve their health and safety programs. Employers should call
(800) 963-9424 for assistance from Cal/OSHA Consultation Services.
Employees
with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR’s Call Center in
English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734). The California Workers’
Information line at 866-924-9757 provides recorded information in English and
Spanish on a variety of work-related topics. Complaints can also be filed
confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices.
Future2 Labs Health Services, Inc. is an active Californian business
entity incorporated 2nd November 2015. Mark A Jones acts as the agent
for this non-profit. The last statement filed for this domestic
non-profit entity was 20th November 2015.