HARTFORD — The Quechee Wastewater Facility is working to resolve several workplace safety violations documented by the Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

In early April, VOSHA manager Anna Hill formally notified the town of nine serious violations at the facility located at 142 Izzo Place in Quechee, found during an October 2025 visit. Fines totaled nearly $64,000.

Among the violations were a slip and fall hazard, an elevated surface without guardrails, a failing warning system for gas, exposed cords and a lack of confined space permitting and signage, which came with a call for an increase in safety training for employees.

OSHA online establishment search records dating back to 1972 show that besides the 2025 visit, there have been no inspections of the facility.

With each documented violation, there was a proposed fine and a deadline for abatement. On April 15, the town formally responded to each citation with a description of efforts since the inspection date. 

Hartford Public Works Director Todd Law, left, Assistant Director Jeremy Delisle, middle, and Chief Wastewater Operator Larry Rogers, right, walk over the sequencing batch reactor, where wastewater is treated to remove phosphorous and nitrogen, at the Quechee, Vt., wastewater treatment plant on Thursday, April 30, 2026. An OSHA inspection at the plant last October returned several violations that public works officials have worked to abate. JAMES M. PATTERSON / Valley News

Since VOSHA’s visit, the town has made improvements to the facility, including elimination of the source of the slip and fall hazard, installing guardrails for the elevated surface, a temporary gas detection system, new signage and ongoing efforts to increase safety training and update manuals.

As a result, the town and VOSHA agreed to a May 15 deadline for all improvements and a 40% reduction in the fine, according to an agreement signed by the town manager and Hill last week.

The town is still on the hook for about $38,000. Payment is expected in two installments of $19,000, one in May and one in July, which is in the next fiscal year.

“No matter what the cost is, it still pales in comparison to if someone was hurt or God forbid, worse,” said Todd Law, director of public works in Hartford.

The Quechee facility includes multiple buildings and is staffed with three people, in addition to a chief wastewater operator, who also oversees the Hartford wastewater facility.

There was one workplace injury in 2025 at the Quechee facility, said Town Manager John Haverstock.

Haverstock declined to share details of the incident to avoid identifying the injured party, but noted that it was not a result of workplace conditions. Injuries are not a common occurrence at the facility, said Law.

A non-functioning monitor for harmful gases is mounted to the wall of the headworks building at the Quechee, Vt., wastewater plant on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The broken system brought a violation during an OSHA inspection last October, and portable gas detectors are being used until a permanent replacement for the stationary system is found. JAMES M. PATTERSON / Valley News

Funding for the VOSHA fines will come out of the Quechee wastewater budget, funded primarily by ratepayers, of which there are 1,520, said Law. There is sufficient money in the budgets for the current fiscal year and the following one to cover the unexpected fines, said Haverstock.

The first violation listed was a slip and fall hazard caused by an overflowing temporary pump. The town determined that the water was from a failed drain line. Another pointed out unprotected sides on a surface over four feet above ground.

The town was asked to log who enters confined spaces and when, and implement danger signs outlining the existence, location and danger posed in areas where an employee may be exposed to electric shock, engulfment or hazardous atmospheres.

Another VOSHA rule requires the town to conduct an inspection at least once a year of its procedure that ensures equipment is shut off properly. The citation also noted extension cords used in place of permanent wiring, which exposed employees to potential fire and shock hazards.

Another need was for hazard communication programs, such as warning labels, plus safety data sheets and employee training. Finally, VOSHA found that the atmospheric warning system intended to notify employees of poor air quality was defective.

Following the visit, VOSHA informed the town broadly of the violations found, which provided an opportunity for Hartford to initiate improvements ahead of the formal report shared in spring.

Todd Law, photographed at the Quechee, Vt., wastewater treatment plant on Thursday, April 30, 2026, became the Town of Hartford’s public works director in January, 2026, replacing Bryan Gazda. JAMES M. PATTERSON / Valley News

Law specified Wednesday by phone that while there is no longer water on the floor, the floor drain still needs to be repaired.

“The immediate safety issue is gone,” said Law, referring to the previous slip and fall risk.

As for the elevated surface, the town corrected the issue in December by installing a two-rail stainless steel chain guardrail system. 

Signage for confined spaces was posted on April 9, but efforts to update the permit-required confined space program are ongoing. The town has updated its draft for the program, which is currently being reviewed as of April 15. The town is also requiring online training and looking for additional training related to hazardous energy control, with an updated manual in review. 

The town corrected the issue of unpermitted extension cords back in November.

Hartford is updating its 2011 hazard communications program for review by internal staff for implementation. The on-site safety data sheets book, with information about the chemicals used on site, is current as of April 9.

Portable gas detection meters are currently being used to mitigate air monitoring. With the faulty permanent system being almost 50 years old, repairing it is likely not an option, said Law.

“A lot of times with technology-based things, it’s not on the shelf waiting,” said Law.

The anticipated cost of a full replacement is between $50,000 and $100,000, said Law, but manufacturing delays may require a deadline extension.

An additional term of the settlement agreement is for the town to schedule a confined space permitting presentation, a hazardous communication presentation and an on-site safety day with Miriam Owens, compliance assistance specialist with VOSHA.

Besides the possible delays in resolving issues with the permanent atmospheric detection system, all other violations are on track for abatement by deadline, said Law.