Mile-High Times for OSHA in Colorado: Denver and Englewood Area Offices Focus on Cannabis Facilities
Although cannabis remains illegal under federal law, that has not prevented the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) from enforcing the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) against cannabis-related businesses . Indeed, on July 18, 2024, OSHA’s Englewood and Denver area offices implemented a Local Emphasis Program (LEP) aimed “to reduce the incidence of serious health and physical injury or death from hazards associated with cannabis processing, growing, cultivating and product manufacturing facilities.” Quick Hits OSHA area offices in Denver and Englewood, Colorado, recently implemented a Local Emphasis Program (LEP) focused on nonretail cannabis-related businesses, where the offices noted that employees are exposed to numerous hazards. Under the LEP, OSHA has obtained, or will obtain, a list of establishments subject to inspection from several Colorado state agencies. Once inspections begin, the LEP directs those inspections be “comprehensi...