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An overview of health and safety in the Colorado cannabis industry
Author(s) -
Walters Kevin M.,
Fisher Gwenith G.,
Tenney Liliana
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22834
Subject(s) - cannabis , occupational safety and health , medicine , psychosocial , physical hazard , workforce , environmental health , effective safety training , suicide prevention , poison control , injury prevention , human factors and ergonomics , public health , occupational health nursing , nursing , psychiatry , health education , pathology , economics , economic growth
Background Understanding worker health and safety in the rapidly growing legal U.S. cannabis industry is important. Although little published research exists, workers may be exposed to biological, chemical, and physical hazards. This study investigated the Colorado cannabis industry workforce and both physical and psychosocial hazards to worker health and safety. Methods Two hundred and fourteen Colorado cannabis workers completed an online survey after in‐person and online recruitment. Participants answered questions about their occupation, job tasks, general well‐being, occupational health and safety, cannabis use, and tobacco use. Results Colorado cannabis workers were generally job secure and valued safety. However, they regularly consumed cannabis, expressed low concerns about workplace hazards, reported some occupational injuries and exposures, and reported inconsistent training practices. Conclusions Working in the cannabis industry is associated with positive outcomes for workers and their organizations, but there is an imminent need to establish formal health and safety training to implement best practices.