NMED NEWS

October 2020 explosion injured five workers, two seriously 

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has issued six citations to New MexiCann Natural Medicine for violations of the state Occupational Health and Safety Act related to a fire that severely injured two workers in October 2020. NMED assessed penalties of $142,348 for the violations following an investigation by its Occupational Health and Safety Bureau.  

NMED cited the company for violations at its facility located on San Mateo Lane in Santa Fe for failing to: 

·        Ensure employees could quickly exit the facility’s cannabis extraction room in an emergency  

·        Control flammable vapors from an extraction system 

·        Control ignition sources 

·        Assess hazards and determine what protective equipment was needed for workers 

·        Implement a respirator program 

·        Institute a program to address hazardous chemicals. 

“The indifference shown to worker safety by this company is inexcusable,” said NMED Cabinet Secretary James Kenney. “Willful violations of worker safety requirements must have consequences for employers – every employee deserves to come home from work healthy.”  

New MexiCann has 15 business days from the date the citations were issued to pay the assessed penalties or contest the citations before the New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Review Commission.  

NMED issued citations to New MexiCann in 2016 following a 2015 explosion and fire that also seriously injured two workers.