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Flood Waters in Vermont Have Caused Physical Hazards to Workers


Posted on Dec 07, 2011

After Vermont was severely affected by Hurricane Irene, workers and residents alike have been cleaning up damages caused by flood waters for months. Unfortunately, there are hazards that flood waters can create leading to a Vermont workplace injury, possibly even environmental hazards.

Flood waters can contain household chemicals, petroleum products, pesticides, flammable liquids and sewage; all presenting a great risk to workers. Additionally, there may be items such as drainage openings, depressions, debris and obstacles that are hard to see due to the flood waters and pose physical hazards to workers.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has provided safety guidelines to flood cleanup workers. One of the most important tips is avoiding skin contact with flood waters by using protective clothing.

Some of the clothing that flood response workers should wear includes:

  • Waterproof work gloves that are cut-resistant 
  • Watertight boots with steel shank, toe and insole or hip waders 
  • Long sleeved shirt and long pants, or coveralls that are light weight and comfortable 
  • Safety glasses with side shields, full face shields, or goggles 
  • Hearing protection 
  • Head cover, such as a hardhat, to protect from falling debris or electrical hazards 

In some hazardous work conditions, respirators may be critical for a worker’s safety so that he is not exposed to chemical or biological hazards. Workers should also be instructed to wash their hands frequently, especially before eating and drinking.

If a person suffers a work injury in Vermont because of overexertion, or the work site was not inspected to identify possible hazards, employers may be liable for injuries.

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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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