It resulted in the industry adding more than 100,000 jobs. As a result, close to 500,000 Americans are now working in this unique sector.
Are you one of the few cannabis cultivation facilities in New Jersey? If so, OSHA compliance should be a top priority. You must follow the guidelines to limit your employees’ exposure to cannabis emissions.
One way to ensure this is through air exposure monitoring. Read on to learn more about what this entails.
What Are Cannabis Emissions?
Studies estimate that every kilogram of cannabis produced emits over 2,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide during cultivation. High concentrations, when inhaled, can cause asphyxiation. This can also lead to burns for those working closely with the plants.
Unfortunately, carbon dioxide is not the only toxic substance of concern in cannabis cultivation. Others include:
Carbon monoxide
Butane
Pesticides
Dangerous organic compounds
Corrosive materials and some nutrients
Cleaning products used during the cultivation process can also be harmful. These can contain chemicals that irritate the skin and eyes. They may also cause respiratory issues.
All these can have severe effects on workers who handle or inhale them. As an employer, you can safeguard against this with regular safety audits. This should include air exposure monitoring. This can also ensure you follow the guidelines from OSHA for the cannabis industry.
Air Exposure Monitoring for Cannabis Cultivation Facilities
Air exposure monitoring involves taking air samples within your facility. The samples are assessed to determine levels of exposure to harmful substances.
Air quality management is essential at cannabis cultivation facilities. It can help to reduce employee injuries and illnesses. It will also ensure you comply with cannabis OSHA regulations.
Regular safety audits using a company with certified specialists is the best way to do this. Phase Associates can help keep your facility safe for employees.
We provide indoor quality testing to ensure you’re OSHA compliant. This involves thorough inspections, testing and assessments, and monitoring with the latest technology. In addition, we’ll provide you with recommendations allowing you to take corrective action if needed.
The Importance of OSHA Compliance in the Cannabis Industry
The cannabis industry is fairly new when compared to other industries. But this has not affected the levels of oversight to ensure marijuana workplace compliance. There’s increased scrutiny as more states legalize its growth.
Failure to comply can result in millions of dollars in fines. It may also result in disruptions in sales. Both can be easily avoided by providing a safe work environment.
Winning at Business and Employee Safety
There are a lot of safety requirements for cannabis cultivators and processors. So it’s no surprise with the emergence of more cannabis cultivation facilities across the state. OSHA compliance can help to ensure your business continues to be successful.
You can protect your employees from cannabis emissions with regular air exposure monitoring. Use a company with experience in this area to help you adhere to OSHA safety standards.
Phase Associates can. We’ve been providing health and safety services for over 25 years. We do this for the cannabis industry as well. Contact Phase Associates today to learn more!
Osha Approved Confined Space Training: Phase Associates
If your place of work requires employees to work in confined spaces, you have to be sure you are following OSHA’s training requirements. OSHA defines a confined space as an area that has limited ways to enter or exit the space, and is not meant to be stayed in for extended periods of time.
Especially in the construction business, employees have to work in confined spaces on a regular basis and need to receive proper training on how to do their job in a restrictive space.
We’re here to answer all your questions on confined spaces, and getting OSHA-approved confined space training. Let’s jump in!
What Is the OSHA Standard for Confined Space?
Types of confined spaces can vary, but all of them can be dangerous. Without having safe entry and exit points, confined spaces mean that getting help in the event of an emergency is difficult.
OSHA defines these kinds of spaces as permit-required confined spaces, which have one or more of some specific characteristics:
Contain a hazardous atmosphere
Contain a hazardous material
Have inward sloping walls
Have downward sloping floors
Regardless of what the confined space is like, it is a space that could potentially trap someone in a dangerous situation.
In order to ensure the safety of those working in such areas, OSHA requires confined space training to reduce hazardous risks in these situations.
What Happens During Confined Space Training?
To protect the safety of those working in confined spaces, OSHA requires training programs to prepare workers for the challenges of working in these situations. They also help teach them skills to keep them safe.
During a confined space training session, you’ll learn how injuries can occur in these types of spaces. And, you’ll learn what steps to take to avoid injury from occurring.
Finally, you’ll learn how to handle emergencies if they do end up happening.
Confined space training typically includes hands-on demonstrations to give trainees the opportunity to practice working in a safe manner without the danger of being in a hazardous situation.
How Often Does OSHA Require Confined Space Training?
OSHA does not have requirements for retraining on working in confined spaces, which means that technically you only need to receive the training once in order to work in confined spaces.
However, experts agree that training should occur once every year or two to ensure that safe practices are being met, and to be aware of any new restrictions.
Any time there is a change in the operations of your business regarding confined spaces, or a change in the duties assigned to those working in them, it’s a good idea to give your employees a refresher in the training to make sure safe practices are being met.
Get Started With OSHA Approved Confined Space Training
If your business requires employees to work in confined and hazardous spaces, safety is the number one goal.
Phase Associates offers training courses for maintaining safety in the workplace in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware, and are a great option for business owners and managers.
If you are looking for an OSHA-approved confined space training program, contact Phase Associates to learn more about our services and know what your options are.
If you’re a business owner or the manager of a group of employees, their safety should be a top concern. It’s your job to ensure their safety while conducting themselves and that they’re fully informed and updated on any safety procedures pertaining to your business. Part of ensuring this is completing regular workplace safety training courses and having the relevant workplace safety training materials on hand.
There are many different types of safety training programs, so which ones are right for your business, and what should they include? This guide will inform you. Read on to learn about everything that is crucial to know.
Workplace Safety Training Courses: The Basics
When you’re conducting a workplace safety training course, there are a few basics that you’ll always want to include.
Equipment safety training is vital. Think about the equipment your employees use in the course of their jobs. What is it, and are they adequately trained to use it?
This is something you’ll want to go over every time your hire new employees. Or any time you upgrade your equipment.
Next, their roles. What is each employee doing? Are they doing it safely?
There should be a protocol laid out for each job. Furthermore, your employees should have a clear idea of what this is.
Finally, basic emergency and first aid training. Do your employees know what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency?
Do you have a first aid kit, and do your employees know where it’s located? First aid training is critical knowledge for everyone in a workplace to have.
Specialized Safety Training Programs
Aside from basic workplace safety training programs, there are also more specialized safety courses for specific industries. Depending on the type of business, one of these may be appropriate for you.
For example, some courses cover compressed gas safety, confined space entry, and electrical safety. In addition, many regulatory bodies require employees working in certain conditions to go through these types of courses. So not only will it make your workplace safer, but also more compliant.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, for example, stipulates that employees working in industries such as construction, maritime, and agriculture uphold specific standards and follow certain rules. Failure to do so can result in your business being inspected or audited or even legal action brought against you.
Of course, this is something that you do not want. To avoid such undesirable situations, make sure your employees are fully trained and that the safety training for staff is comprehensive and compliant.
Below we list a few of the workplace safety training courses offered by Phase Associates.
Take steps toward improving workplace safety and avoiding accidents today by implementing workplace safety training courses. If you need safety training for your business, at Phase Associates, we’ve got the expertise and experience to help. Get in touch to discuss in detail the courses we offer now.
Our workplace safety courses are offered to NJ, NY, PA, CT and DE business owners, property, warehouse managers and more.
If you are interested in HAZMAT training and would like to learn more about The Phase Associates HAZMAT training courses, click to view our “Guide To HAZMAT Training Courses.”
There are hazardous materials we all come into contact with daily. Often without even thinking. The fact is that dangerous materials aren’t limited only to things like toxic waste. The term could refer to something as simple and seemingly innocuous as propane or antiperspirant. However, in this article, we discuss safety training courses for those on the job who will come in contact with hazardous waste material that can pose a severe health risk to people, be a hazard to the environment, damage facility property and even cause a fire.
If you are a HAZMAT employer with personnel who generate, handle, unload, transport, ship, receive and dispose of hazardous materials, you must provide them with HAZMAT training. These employees can include but are not limited to first responders, supervisors, on-site maintenance workers, and equipment operators.
What Are HAZMAT Training Courses?
There are several different types of HAZMAT training courses. However, all have the same common goal: to help those working with hazardous materials so they are informed, careful, and safe. The training courses will depend on the chemicals and the clean-up needed at each facility. In addition, they will include awareness of the HAZMAT materials, with function-specific training and in-depth safety and security training.
The Importance of HAZMAT Training Courses
HAZMAT training is critical. The training ensures the health and safety of workers, workspaces, properties and the environment. In addition, it is key to preventing hazardous waste material incidents caused by human error. Any mistakes in dealing with hazardous waste materials could spell disaster as each hazard has its side effects and damage potential.
Different Types of HAZMAT Training Courses
HAZMAT training courses are site-specific with different protection levels. Attendees of the courses learn to identify dangerous chemicals and physical hazards. In addition, tactical defenses on isolating and evacuating the area, chemical containment, and personal and equipment decontamination are taught.
HAZMAT training requirements govern many jobs and industries. OSHA, for example, sets out guidelines for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response or HAZWOPER. Employees in the medical industry, and first responders, for example, must adhere to these standards.
There are also courses designed for workers at manufacturing or warehouse sites who need to respond to the release of hazardous materials in a safe and efficient manner. Employees of the EPA who interact with RCRA hazardous waste are required to take annual training courses as well.
All HAZMAT training courses have different hours available to meet the specific requirements of the site-specific job.
Could You Benefit from HAZMAT Training Courses?
Suppose you or your employees interact with any hazardous waste at any point in their job. In that case, each individual needs to be protected and know how to protect the environment. HAZMAT training courses are essential, offering vital information on safe handling, decontamination, removal and more of hazardous waste materials. Whether you’re bound by OSHA or EPA regulations or not. Creating a safer workplace is never a wrong decision.
If you’d like to discuss which type of HAZMAT training course is best, we’d be happy to help. Contact PHASE Associates to discuss your options now. Our company with many years of experience has developed an excellent reputation and has become a proven leader in the environmental, health and safety industry.
Make your work environment a safe and compliant place now by investing in the Phase Associates HAZMAT training courses.
Click here to learn more about Phase Associate’s engaging instructor-led training, hands-on, and customized training courses. In addition, we tailor all EHS courses specific to the companies compliance requirements which include HAZMAT training, industrial hygiene and safety training.
