Cannabis company cited for safety violations following explosion
FILE ART - Cannabis
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KTVU) - A cannabis manufacturer was cited for 10 safety violations following an investigation into an explosion that seriously burned a worker this summer.
The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Thursday said Future2 Health Services of Santa Cruz failed to protect workers around flammable vapors, identify hazards and maintain equipment safely.
KTVU reached out to the company, but couldn't find a number or a website.
On June 19, an employee of Future2 Labs was working alone using propane to extract oil from cannabis leaves inside a portable storage container in Watsonville, California. A spark caused by the equipment ignited the propane and exploded, badly burning the worker and putting that employee in the hospital for several days, according to Cal/OSHA.
In total, Cal/OSHA cited 10 violations, including three serious accident-related violations and others related to inadequate training, failure to establish an emergency action plan, and failure to report a serious workplace injury to Cal/OSHA.
“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 proposed $50,470 in fines.