Four researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health spent nearly a week recently at a medical marijuana cultivation operation in Washington State to learn more about the cannabis trade so they can come up with a set of best practices to help protect workers.
The researchers used a variety of monitoring systems, including electronic air sniffers used by employees, to check out the air quality at the farm’s greenhouse and processing facility, according to Komo News.
The team was invited by a local chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, which was acting on behalf of both the owner and the employees of the farm. Owner Tom Laurmen said he’s interested in making sure his employees are protected, and figuring out best practices for the still-nascent marijuana industry is part of that.
The researchers’ findings are expected to be confidential for at least another year.
