Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA) – Montpelier, VT

About VOSHA

The Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA), located in Montpelier, Vermont, is the state agency responsible for ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for men and women throughout the Green Mountain State. Functioning as a division of the Vermont Department of Labor, VOSHA operates under a state plan approved by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This allows Vermont to enforce its own occupational safety and health standards, which apply to both private sector employers and state and local government agencies. The agency’s headquarters on Green Mountain Drive serves as the central hub for its enforcement, compliance, and administrative activities.

Enforcement and Inspections

VOSHA’s primary tool for ensuring workplace safety is its enforcement program. Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) conduct inspections of workplaces to verify adherence to state and federal safety regulations. These inspections can be triggered by various factors, including:

• Imminent Danger: Situations where there is a reasonable certainty that a danger exists that can be expected to cause death or serious physical harm.
• Fatalities and Catastrophes: Incidents resulting in the hospitalization of three or more employees or a workplace death.
• Complaints: Reports filed by employees or their representatives regarding unsafe conditions.
• Programmed Inspections: Scheduled visits to industries with high injury or illness rates.

Project WorkSAFE

Recognizing that prevention is better than penalty, VOSHA offers a consultative program known as Project WorkSAFE. This service is completely separate from the enforcement division and is designed to assist small and medium-sized businesses in identifying and correcting hazards without the fear of citations or fines. Consultants work with employers to develop effective safety and health management systems, offering training and on-site assessments to foster a culture of safety.

Worker Protections

VOSHA strictly enforces whistleblower protection laws. It is illegal for an employer to fire, demote, harass, or otherwise discriminate against an employee for filing a safety complaint or participating in a VOSHA inspection. The agency investigates claims of retaliation to ensure workers can exercise their rights without fear of reprisal. Additionally, VOSHA oversees the Green Mountain Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), which recognizes employers who have implemented outstanding safety and health management systems.

Visiting the Office

The VOSHA administrative office is situated within the Department of Labor building. While many services, such as filing a complaint or requesting a consultation, can be initiated online or by phone, the office handles the administrative processing of cases, penalty payments, and case file reviews. Visitors to the Department of Labor complex should be prepared for standard government building security protocols.