"Current regulations only require one lift attendant or operator to be present at each loading and unloading area, to slow or stop the lift if something happens, and to help guests get on the chairlift properly. On fixed-grip chairlifts, this means giving the chair a little swing, or bump, as it comes around the bullwheel, hence the term bumping chairs."
"With someone required to be present at all times at each terminal, it can be difficult for liftys to take breaks, to warm up, go to the bathroom, or stay attentive. A bill introduced in the Vermont Legislature in May 2025, the Extreme Weather Worker Protection Act, would establish warm-up or cool-down breaks for employees working in excessively cold or excessively warm environments."
"When the air temperature is less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, workers would be given a 10 minute warm-up break at least every two hours, and must be provided with adequate clothing to work in cold environments. Many ski areas provide employees who work outside with jackets, but gloves are far less common."
Lift attendants in Vermont face challenging working conditions during long ski seasons with extreme weather. Current regulations require only one operator per lift terminal to manage loading, unloading, and safety. These attendants perform critical tasks like bumping chairs on fixed-grip lifts to help skiers board safely. The demanding schedule makes it difficult for workers to take breaks, warm up, or attend to personal needs. Vermont's proposed Extreme Weather Worker Protection Act would require 10-minute warm-up breaks every two hours when temperatures fall below 40°F and mandate adequate cold-weather clothing provision. Ski areas typically employ two attendants per lift for better safety and break coverage, though minimum staffing requirements allow operation with just one attendant, creating scheduling challenges.
#lift-attendant-working-conditions #extreme-weather-worker-protection #vermont-ski-industry-labor #workplace-safety-regulations
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