Las Vegas, NV December 14, 2020
One citation
for violation of required COVID-19 workplace health and safety measures was
issued last week by the Division of Industrial Relations’ Nevada Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Agency officials monitor and enforce compliance
through in-field observations and through investigations opened in response to
complaints and referrals filed with OSHA.
Trinity Pharmacy- 2797 South Maryland Parkway, Suite #28,
Las Vegas, NV 89109; Inspection #:1504602; Penalty: $2,892; Violation
summary: Face coverings not being worn by employees working within the pharmacy
The citation
was issued after officials observed noncompliance with one or more requirements
of general and industry-specific guidance and directives. A formal
investigation was opened with the employer during which time the violations
were substantiated and a notice of citation of penalty was issued.
Nevada OSHA has issued a total of 191 notices of citation and
penalty related to violations of required COVID-19 health and safety measures
in effect since mid-March. The citations have been issued as a result of both
the employer observation process as well as through the investigation of
employee complaints or public referrals.
Observation
Findings: Initial
Since observations began
in late-June to determine compliance with mandated health and safety measures
under the Governor’s Declaration of Emergency Directive 024 and Nevada OSHA’s
Guidance for Roadmap to Recovery, DIR officials have conducted 10,548 initial
visits at business establishments finding a cumulative 90 percent statewide
compliance rate, a 91 percent compliance rate in northern Nevada and 88 percent
compliance in southern Nevada.
During the week beginning
December 7, officials conducted 127 initial visits finding a 96 percent
compliance rate statewide, 100 percent in the north, and 83 percent compliance
in the south.
Observation
Findings: Follow Up
Since observations to
determine compliance with mandated health and safety measures began, DIR
officials have conducted 2,429 follow up visits finding a 96 percent statewide
compliance rate with a 98 percent compliance rate in northern Nevada, and 93
percent in the south.
During the week beginning
December 7, officials conducted 59 follow up visits finding 100 percent statewide
compliance.
Complaint Data
In addition to the field observation
process, Nevada OSHA responds to complaints from employees and referrals from
the public regarding face coverings, social distancing, cleaning and
disinfection, and other areas of concern related to COVID-19 received by their
offices.
Additional complaint data is available
on the Division’s observation and complaint data dashboard. A link to the dashboard can be found on the
homepage of the Division’s website https://dir.nv.gov.
Workplace health and safety complaints can be
reported to the Division by filing an online complaint at https://www.osha.gov/pls/osha7/eComplaintForm.html.
Important
Information for Employers
The Division has been notified of
several instances where individuals, posing as OSHA compliance officers, have approached
businesses throughout the state. OSHA officials are required to present
credentials when making contact with management representatives, employees (to
conduct interviews), or organized labor representatives. More information is
provided in an alert issued on December 11 and posted at https://business.nv.gov/News_Media/Press_Releases/2020/Industrial_Relations_COVID-19/Division_of_Industrial_Relations_Alert__Individuals_Unlawfully_Impersonating_Nevada_OSHA_Officials/.
In response to the November 25
Declaration of Emergency Directive #035 which reduced occupancy limits on
specific businesses and imposed an occupancy signage requirement, Nevada OSHA published
Updated Guidance for Business Operations During Nevada’s “Statewide Pause.” On
December 13, Governor Sisolak announced that the provisions of Emergency
Directive #035 would remain in effect through January 15. Nevada OSHA will
continue to enforce the provisions outlined in the updated guidance which can
be found online at https://dir.nv.gov.
The Division’s Safety Consultation
and Training Section (SCATS) also offers free consultations to businesses to
help them understand and implement the requirements in order to comply with the
health and safety guidance and directives for all businesses, and specific
requirements for each industry. SCATS can be reached by calling 1-877-4SAFENV.
About
the Division of Industrial Relations:
The
Nevada Division of Industrial Relations (DIR) is the principal regulatory
agency responsible for workplace safety and worker protections in the state of
Nevada. Comprised of five sections –Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, Workers’ Compensation Section, Mechanical Compliance Section,
Mine Safety and Training Section, and the Safety Consultation and Training
Section – DIR works to protect Nevada’s working men and women and provides a
broad scope of training and support to the regulated community. For more
information please visit http://dir.nv.gov.
About
Nevada OSHA:
Nevada
OSHA operates as an approved state program as defined by section 18 of the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and is required by the Act to
operate in a manner that is at least as effective as the federal OSHA
enforcement program. Operating out of district offices in Las Vegas and
Reno, Nevada OSHA conducts inspections and investigations intended to identify
hazardous conditions which could harm Nevada’s workers and enforces state and
federal laws protecting the state’s workers. The Nevada State Plan, at the time
of publication of this media release, is funded by a grant of $1,602,700
federal funds, which is matched by $1,602,700 in state funding. An additional
$6,182,619 in state funds are used to support Nevada OSHA. The total program
budget is $9,388,019. For more
information visit http://dir.nv.gov/OSHA/home.
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