Seyfarth Synopsis:  The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) recently held advisory meetings on the Agency’s draft rules for the Marijuana/Cannabis Industry and for the Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment.  It is seeking public comments.

Marijuana/Cannabis Industry Rulemaking

The advisory meeting on the DOSH Marijuana/Cannabis Industry Rulemaking was to “consider … whether specific requirements are needed to address exposure to second-hand marijuana smoke by employees at facilities where on-site consumption of marijuana is permitted under B&P Code section 26200(d), and whether specific requirements are needed to address the potential risks of combustion, inhalation, armed robberies, or repetitive strain injuries.” Public commenting is open. The advisory committee must present its finding and recommendations to the Standards Board by October 1, 2018, at which point the Board render a decision regarding whether to adopt the marijuana/cannabis standards.

Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment

The advisory meeting on the DOSH Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment was to “develop a proposed regulation for minimizing heat-related illness among workers in indoor places of employment.”  At the meeting, the public had an opportunity to provide input on a revised discussion draft developed in consideration of the comments received on a previous discussion draft. A side-by-side comparison table is provided along with options for an Amended Section 3395 (Option A) or Creating Standalone Indoor Standard (Option B).

The Cal/OSHA Advisory Committees are currently accepting comments on both of these topics.