A Worker’s Right to Protection While Working With Hazardous Materials

Many employees work with hazardous materials as part of their work activities. Because working with hazardous materials can cause on-the-job injuries in Vermont and throughout this nation, both employers and employees need to be careful when working around these materials.

Sometimes workers know going into the job that they are removing asbestos or lead from a building or home and are well aware of the dangers; however, there are other times when an employee may perform a non-routine task at work and is not informed or aware of the hazards associated with that task. This is why a material safety data sheet in each workplace is required, listing all chemicals present in that work area that could include radioactive materials, mercury, lead, asbestos, and other hazardous chemicals.

Workers have a right to review labels and to know what type of chemicals they are being exposed to at work. Because workers need to be shielded from apparent harm, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has established some rules to protect workers who work with hazardous materials:

  • Employers have to inform their employees of the hazards
  • Employers have to develop a written hazard communication program
  • Employers have to provide employees with proper protection
  • Employers have to properly train their employees

A hazard communication program would include accurate labeling on containers, material safety data sheets, and a comprehensive training program. Every workplace should have a list of all the hazardous substances a worker would be exposed to on the job.

Employers have a legal obligation to inform their employees of the hazards associated with each type of job they are doing. For example, if an employee is cleaning a reactor vessel, he or she should know the hazards involved with that job.

Employees should be informed and protected when working with hazardous materials so that workplace injuries in Vermont are minimized. If you were overexposed to hazardous substances and suffered health problems such as burns, organ damage, cancer, or if your loved one died as a result of working around hazardous chemicals, you may have legal rights to financial compensation.

Although no amount of money can take away your injury or bring back the death of a loved one, seeking justice can give you some level of comfort. Please call a Vermont workers' compensation attorney at the Law Office of Charles Powell to schedule a free, no obligation discussion of your case at 877-295-7773 and find out your rights.




Charles L. Powell represents injured workers throughout Vermont and is available to speak with injured workers in all Vermont counties and towns including:
Windsor County - Andover, Baltimore, Barnard, Bethel, Bridgewater, Cavendish, Chester, Chester Depot, Hartford, White River Junction, Wilder, Hartland, Ludlow, Ludlow Village, Norwich, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, Rochester, Royalton, Sharon, Springfield, Stockbridge, Weathersfield, Perkinsville, West Windsor, Weston, Windsor, Woodstock and Woodstock Village
Windham County - Athens, Brattleboro, West Brattleboro, Brookline, Dover, Dummerston, Grafton, Guilford, Algiers, Halifax, Jamaica, Londonderry, Marlboro, Newfane, Newfane Village, Putney, Rockingham, Bellows Falls, Saxtons River, Somerset, Stratton, Townshend, Harmonyville, West Townshend, Vernon, Wardsboro, Westminster, North Westminster, Whitingham, Jacksonville, Wilmington, Windham and South Windham
Orange County - Bradford, Braintree, Brookfield, Chelsea, Corinth, Fairlee, Newbury, Orange, Randolph, Strafford, Thetford, Topsham, Tunbridge, Vershire, Washington, West Fairlee and Williamstown
Washington County - Barre, Websterville, Berlin, Cabot, Cabot Village, Calais, Duxbury, East Montpelier, Fayston, Marshfield, Marshfield Village, Middlesex, Montpelier, Moretown, Northfield, Northfield Village, Plainfield, Roxbury, Waitsfield, Warren, Waterbury, Waterbury Village, Woodbury and Worcester
Caledonia County - Barnet, Burke, West Burke, Danville, Groton, Hardwick, East Hardwick, Mackville, Kirby, Lyndon, Lyndonville, Lyndon Center, East Lyndon, Newark, Peacham, Ryegate, South Ryegate, East Ryegate, Center Ryegate, Sheffield, St. Johnsbury, St. Johnsbury Center, Stannard, Sutton, Walden, Waterford and Wheelock
Chittenden County - Bolton, Burlington, Charlotte, Colchester, Essex, Essex Junction, Hinesburg, Huntington, Jericho, Milton, Richmond, Shelburne, South Burlington, St. George, Underhill, Westford, Williston and Winooski.


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White River Junction Office

Gates-Briggs Building, Suite 312
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Testimonials

  • Thank you Charles , so much for helping me through the hardest time in my life . I had no fight in me and you did it for me while being patient, compassionate and looking out for me , for my benefit .
    I'm in such a better place now , Thanks to you and your staff . Your staff are so wonderful , a joy to work with , just really GREAT PEOPLE !!

    I Thank You , to all of you . THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING .

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  • I retained the legal services of Charles Powell to represent myself when it came to workman’s compensation and issues that I had to deal with during my recovery.

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