There's not much falling down on the job
ColoradoBiz Staff //April 24, 2019//
There's not much falling down on the job
ColoradoBiz Staff //April 24, 2019//
If you’re looking for a job where you probably won’t get injured, the cannabis industry might be a safe bet. An injury analysis by Pinnacol Assurance, Colorado’s largest workers compensation insurer, found that the industry is relatively safe compared with other cultivation, retail and manufacturing jobs in the state.
“As the cannabis industry continues to mature in Colorado, we see companies increasingly adding safety managers and focusing on basic ergonomic, materials handling and fall protection risk mitigation,” says Jim McMillen, Pinnacol’s director of safety services.
According to Pinnacol’s claims data, about 350 Coloradans working in cannabis retail, cultivation, manufacturing, clerical support and transportation were injured on the job in 2018. The five most common injury causes were:
“Eye injuries are quite common in the cannabis industry and are very easily preventable with a small investment in eye protection (safety glasses) and a plan to enforce their use,” McMillen says. “Severe eye injuries can cause vision loss, blindness and other long-term issues.”
April is the safest month for cannabis workers, despite “4/20” events and promotions. Injuries are most likely in February and October, but the most expensive injuries happen in December.
Other findings from Pinnacol’s claims data:
For more information, read Pinnacol’s employer guide to cannabis and workers’ compensation