VOSHA Fines DCF For “Serious” Health & Safety Violation That Could Endanger State Employees

VSEA issued the following press release this afternoon:

Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA) members working for the Department for Children and Families (DCF) in the St. Albans Family Services Division office are applauding VOSHA’s decision this week to cite DCF for a “serious” health and safety violation, assessing a fine of $14,500. 

The citation’s “type of violation”: Each employer shall furnish to each of his or her employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or significant physical harm to his or her employees; and the employer shall comply with safety and health standards promulgated under the VOSHA code. 

The citation’s violation: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm, in that Family Services employees were exposed to the hazard of physical assaults by clients that could exhibit violent behavior during visitations within the employee’s office space, during client transports, and due to the lack of documented safety training. 

“VSEA members working in DCF offices across Vermont have been voicing their concerns about their personal safety and health—and their colleagues’ safety—for years now, so this VOSHA DCF citation is certainly welcome and will hopefully improve protections for Family Services Division employees across the state,” explains VSEA President Aimee Towne, herself a DCF employee. “Frontline employees are performing critical public services every day across Vermont, and we all deserve to feel safe while at work.”