Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search


Español  Other Languages


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
 Search
		×
			NIOSH
			NIOSH
				All CDC
				Submit
			For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
			Advanced Search
		Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)








Cannabis Flower Technician Experiences Fatal Asthma Exacerbation — Massachusetts						Print
																Related Pages
										Massachusetts Case Report: 22MA002
Release Date: November 16, 2023

SUMMARY
On January 4, 2022, a 27-year-old White non-Hispanic female flower production technician at an indoor cannabis cultivation and processing facility experienced an asthma exacerbation. She was working with dried, ground cannabis and became short of breath and ultimately stopped breathing and lost consciousness. Staff at the site called 911 and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). She was transported to a regional trauma center where she remained on life support until she died on January 7. The Massachusetts FACE Program learned of the incident from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on January 13, 2022, and initiated steps to collect relevant documentation to investigate the event. Several records were reviewed in the course of the investigation, including data from the electronic death registration system (death certificate); medical records from the January event and one prior asthma exacerbation at the workplace requiring transport by ambulance to the local hospital; additional prior medical records describing her health history; public obituary and news coverage; and records from OSHA, including publicly available records listing citations and abatement steps recommended in the hazard alert letter. Massachusetts FACE staff spoke with the next of kin of the worker to gather a more detailed health history. Massachusetts FACE staff also spoke with representatives from the company and toured the facility with senior site safety staff to view the equipment and workspace and discuss the event and safety and health policies.
**CONTRIBUTING FACTORS**
Key contributing factors identified in this investigation include:
Failure to recognize ground cannabis as a potential occupational respiratory hazard
Failure to adequately control the spread of airborne cannabis dust
Lack of a comprehensive safety and health program and overall safety training**RECOMMENDATIONS**
Massachusetts FACE investigators concluded that, to help prevent similar occurrences, employers should:
Assess and control hazardous materials in the workplace, including asthmagens.
Ensure that all workers are properly trained about hazardous materials in the workplace.
Develop and implement a comprehensive safety and health program that addresses hazard recognition, avoidance of unsafe conditions, and proper use of equipment.Cannabis Flower Technician Experiences Fatal Asthma Exacerbation — Massachusetts
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  November 16, 2023						Source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
					Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate homeWorkplace Safety and Health Topics
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation(FACE) Programplus icon
New Content
About the Program
Investigations
NIOSH FACE Reports
State FACE Reports
Resourcesplus icon
Agriculture
Commercial Fishing
Construction
Energy Production
Landscaping
Logging
Robotics
Waste Management
Confined Space
Electrocution
Falls
Machine Related
Motor Vehicle
Trenching
Other
Crossing Guards
Hispanic
Youth
Contact Us To receive the NIOSH eNews newsletter, enter your email address: Email Address			What's this?				Submit
 Contact FACE Nancy Romano, M.S., CSHM
FACE Project Officer
Fatality Investigations Team
Division of Safety Research
NIOSHnioshface@cdc.gov **Press Inquiries**nioshmedia@cdc.gov
 Related Topics Traumatic Occupational Injuries
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
Law Enforcement Officer Motor Vehicle Safety
 Follow NIOSH Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube
 NIOSH Homepage NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs
Contact NIOSH


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue