Nevada OSHA issues one citation, announces Thanksgiving week compliance

Las Vegas, NV November 30, 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.

Owens Market & Ace Hardware- 924 Bush Street, Carlin, NV 89822; Inspection #: 1503106; Penalty: $2,603; Violation Summary: Employee not wearing a facing covering

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 18 active inspections related to noncompliance. Citations may be issued to these businesses if the violations are found to be substantiated during the investigatory process. 

Nevada OSHA has issued a total of 188 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 10,303 initial visits at business establishments finding a cumulative 89 percent statewide compliance rate, a 91 percent compliance rate in northern Nevada and 88 percent compliance in southern Nevada.

During the week beginning November 21, officials conducted 33 initial visits finding a 100 percent compliance rate statewide.

Observation Findings: Follow Up

Since observations to determine compliance with mandated health and safety measures began, DIR officials have conducted 2,253 follow up visits finding a 96 percent statewide compliance rate with a 97 percent compliance rate in northern Nevada, and 93 percent in the south.

During the week beginning November 21, officials conducted 56 follow up visits finding 100 percent compliance in northern Nevada and 75 percent compliance in southern Nevada.  

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. Of the 4,902 complaints received, 28 percent of the complaints concern general retail followed by 17 percent for restaurants and bars, 8 percent about medical facilities, 6 percent concern casinos and gaming and 5 percent about grocery stores.

The top five zip codes for complaints, to-date, include:

89502 (Reno), 265 complaints

89109 (Las Vegas/Unincorporated Clark Co.), 218 complaints

89431 (Sparks), 177 complaints

89119 (Unincorporated Clark Co.) 160 complaints

89434 (Sparks), 139 complaints

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 http://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’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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