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What are the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements for Minnesota's Cannabis Industry?

  • Writer: Cathy Hovde
    Cathy Hovde
  • Jan 14
  • 3 min read

Ensuring worker safety in cannabis cultivation, processing, and retail settings goes beyond best intentions. It demands strict adherence to OSHA’s PPE standards and an informed awareness of the specific hazards present in these environments. Here are the essential responsibilities for employers: what must be provided, documented, and taught to maintain compliance and protect employees.


To help you develop a thorough, hazard-based PPE program, the following guidance organizes requirements by type. While not exhaustive, these examples offer a practical starting point for compliance. You’ll find additional resources at the end of this post to further support your safety efforts.


Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements


OSHA Requirements for PPE

Under OSHA’s Personal Protective Equipment standards, employers must:

  • Assess the workplace to determine hazards present, which necessitate the use of PPE. The PPE hazard assessment must be documented. 

  • Provide PPE and employee training appropriate for the hazards present. 

  • PPE must meet relevant standards, such as ANSI Z87.1 for Safety Glasses. 

  • Ensure PPE is used and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition, replace whenever necessary.

  • There are significant additional requirements for each type of PPE, especially respiratory, fall, and electrical protection.

More information can be found on the OSHA website, or you can contact us to support the building of your PPE program.

The standards in question are Federal OSHA PPE Standards: 29 CFR 1910.132–1910.138


Eye and Face Protection

When is Eye Protection Required?

  • Chemical splashes (cleaning agents, disinfectants, extraction solvents)

  • Dust from trimming, grinding, and sifting

  • UV exposure in grow rooms

  • Flying particles from machinery or packaging equipment

What are the Cannabis Industry specific Hazards that could require Eye and Face Protection?

  • Cannabis dust and pollen

  • Ozone exposure

  • Solvent handling during extraction

Recommended PPE

  • Safety glasses (ANSI Z87.1)

  • Chemical splash goggles

  • Face shields for high-splash tasks

  • UV-blocking eyewear for grow lighting

The standards that reference Eye and Face Protection are OSHA Standard: 29 CFR 1910.133 and ANSI Standard: Z87.1


Hand Protection

When is Hand Protection Required?

  • Handling chemicals, disinfectants, or pesticides

  • Working with solvents (e.g., isopropyl alcohol)

  • Trimming, cutting, or working with sharp tools

  • Exposure to plant material or mold

What are the Cannabis Industry specific Hazards that could require Hand Protection?

  • Sensitization from plant contact

  • Dermal exposure to pesticides or cleaning agents

Recommended PPE

  • Nitrile or chemical-resistant gloves (SDS-based selection)

  • Cut-resistant gloves for trimming and equipment cleaning

  • Heat-resistant gloves for packaging equipment

The standard that references Hand Protection is OSHA Standard: 29 CFR 1910.138


Body Protection (Clothing, Lab Coats, Aprons)

When is Body Protection Required?

  • Chemical splash risk

  • Mold or biological exposure

  • Solvent handling

  • High-dust tasks

What are the Cannabis Industry specific Hazards that could require Body Protection?

  • Mold spores

  • Cannabis dust and pollen

  • Extraction solvents

Recommended PPE

  • Lab coats or protective gowns

  • Chemical-resistant aprons

  • Flame-resistant clothing for extraction or flammable liquid handling

  • Disposable sleeves for trimming and cultivation tasks

The standard that references Body Protection is OSHA Standard: 29 CFR 1910.132


Respiratory Protection

When is Respirator Protection Required?

  • Grinding, sifting, or handling dried flower

  • Mold exposure

  • Chemical fumes or inadequate ventilation

What are the Cannabis Industry specific Hazards that could require Respirator Protection?

Respiratory hazards are one of the top risks in cannabis workplaces, including:

  • Cannabis dust

  • Mold spores

Required Program Elements

  • Medical evaluations

  • Fit testing

  • Training

  • Written procedures

  • Proper respirator selection

Recommended PPE

  • N95 or P100 filtering facepiece respirators

  • Half-mask elastomeric respirators with appropriate cartridges

  • Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) for high-dust tasks

The standard that references Respiratory Protection is OSHA Standard: 29 CFR 1910.134. Please note that if you meet the conditions, this requires a full written program for when respirators are used


PPE Resources


For more support in any one of these risk areas, please contact us for a consultation or check out our Cannabis Industry Solutions.

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