Vermont State Requirements

Vermont State Plan for Workplace Safety and Health: Ensuring Compliance and Protection for Public and Private Sector Workers

The Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA) is responsible for ensuring workplace safety and health standards are met within the state. VOSHA operates under the Vermont Department of Labor.

Vermont's state plan is designed to be at least as effective as the federal OSHA standards and includes provisions for enforcement, consultation, and training. The state plan covers both private and public sector workplaces in Vermont, with the exception of federal government employees and certain maritime activities, which fall under federal OSHA jurisdiction.

Under VOSHA, employers in Vermont are required to provide a safe and healthy working environment for their employees. This includes implementing safety and health programs, conducting regular workplace inspections, addressing hazards, providing training and education, and maintaining records of workplace injuries and illnesses. VOSHA also conducts inspections and investigations in response to complaints or accidents to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Coverage

Vermont's state plan, operated by the Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA), covers both private and public sector employers in the state. The state plan includes most workplaces, with the exception of federal government employees and activities regulated by federal OSHA, such as maritime activities. Here are some key points regarding the coverage of the Vermont state plan:

1. Private Sector:

VOSHA's jurisdiction extends to all private sector workplaces in Vermont, regardless of the size of the company or the industry. This includes manufacturing, construction, healthcare, retail, hospitality, and other sectors.

2. Public Sector:

The Vermont state plan covers state and local government agencies and their employees. This includes state departments, municipalities, schools, universities, and other public entities.

3. Federal Employees:

Federal government employees, including those working for agencies such as the Postal Service or federal military installations, fall under the jurisdiction of federal OSHA and are not covered by the Vermont state plan.

4. Maritime Activities:

Maritime activities, such as shipbuilding, ship repair, and longshoring operations, are regulated by federal OSHA's maritime standards, regardless of whether they are conducted in Vermont.

Vermont State Plan applies to private sector workplaces in the state with the exception of:

1. Offshore maritime employment, including offshore shipyard employment and longshoring;

2. Contract workers and contractor-operated facilities engaged in United States Postal Service (USPS) mail operations; and

3. All working conditions of aircraft cabin crewmembers onboard aircraft in operation.

State Plan Standard and Regulations.

VOSHA has incorporated OSHA standards by reference and also implements two distinctive standards that are currently in effect:

• Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs)
• Lineworker Safety regulations.