Section 246-70-070. Compliant product safe handling.

(1) Marijuana processors shall ensure all processing facilities that create or handle marijuana-infused products are constructed, kept, and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition in accordance with rules as prescribed by the Washington state department of agriculture under chapters 16-165 and 16-167 WAC.

(2) Marijuana processors that do not create or handle marijuana-infused products and all marijuana producers shall adopt and enforce policies and procedures to ensure that operations involving the growing, receiving, inspecting, transporting, segregating, preparing, production, packaging, and storing of marijuana or marijuana products are conducted in accordance with adequate sanitation principles including:

(a) Any person who, by medical examination or supervisory observation, is shown to have, or appears to have, an illness, open lesion, including boils, sores or infected wounds, or any other abnormal source of microbial contamination for whom there is a reasonable possibility of contact with marijuana, marijuana plants, or marijuana products shall be excluded from any operations that may be expected to result in microbial contamination until the condition is corrected.

(b) Hand-washing facilities must be available and furnished with running water. Hand-washing facilities shall be located in the permitted premises and where good sanitary practices require employees to wash or sanitize their hands, and provide effective hand-cleaning and sanitizing preparations and sanitary towel service or suitable drying devices.

(c) All persons working in direct contact with marijuana, marijuana plants, or marijuana products must conform to hygienic practices while on duty including, but not limited to:

(i) Maintaining personal cleanliness;

(ii) Washing hands thoroughly in hand-washing areas before starting work and at any other time when the hands may have become soiled or contaminated;

(iii) Refraining from having direct contact with marijuana, marijuana plants, or marijuana products if the person has or may have an illness, open lesion, including boils, sores or infected wounds, or any other abnormal source of microbial contamination, until the condition is corrected.

(d) Litter and waste are properly removed and the operating systems for waste disposal are maintained in a manner so that they do not constitute a source of contamination in areas where marijuana, marijuana plants, or marijuana products may be exposed.

(e) Floors, walls and ceilings are constructed in such a manner that they may be adequately cleaned and kept clean and in good repair.

(f) There is adequate lighting in all areas where marijuana, marijuana plants, or marijuana products are stored and where equipment or utensils are cleaned.

(g) There is adequate screening or other protection against the entry of pests. Rubbish must be disposed of so as to minimize the development of odor and minimize the potential for the waste becoming an attractant, harborage, or breeding place for pests.

(h) Any buildings, fixtures, and other facilities are maintained in a sanitary condition.

(i) Toxic cleaning compounds, sanitizing agents, and solvents used in the production of marijuana concentrates must be identified, held and stored in a manner that protects against contamination of marijuana, marijuana plants, and marijuana products, and in a manner that is in accordance with any applicable local, state, or federal law, rule, regulation, or ordinance.

(j) All contact surfaces, including utensils and equipment used for the preparation of marijuana, marijuana plants, or marijuana products must be cleaned and sanitized regularly to protect against contamination. Equipment and utensils must be designed and be of such material and workmanship as to be adequately cleanable, and must be properly maintained. Sanitizing agents must be used in accordance with labeled instructions.

(k) The water supply must be sufficient for the operations and capable of providing a safe, potable, and adequate supply of water to meet the facility's needs. Each facility must provide its employees with adequate and readily accessible toilet facilities that are maintained in a sanitary condition and good repair.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 69.50.375 and 80.08.9998. WSR 16-20-022, § 246-70-070, filed 9/27/16, effective 10/28/16.]

RCW 69.50.375 and 80.08.9998. WSR 16-20-022, § 246-70-070, filed 9/27/16, effective 10/28/16.

Rules

16-165,16-167,