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Workers can suffer serious injuries and death in confined workspaces that have insufficient oxygen, toxic fumes, combustible materials and tight spaces that can trap workers inside. The U.S. Department of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires all employers to provide safe work environments for workers, including confined spaces that present specific dangers. Confined spaces can be present in almost any occupation, but they are commonly found within the construction, mining, utility and drilling industries where workers often have to work underground. Confined spaces include, but are not limited to, areas such as manholes, storage tanks, silos, pits and vats, storage bins, sewers and tunnels, underground utility vaults and pipelines.

When a worker is injured on the job in Nevada and the amount of marijuana in his or her system is above the legal limit to drive, the injured worker is presumed to be impaired for workers’ compensation purposes and claims for damages may be denied. The circumstances of the accident, whether the worker had a current and lawful prescription for marijuana, and factors regarding usage may play a significant role in determining a claim, however.