LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Federal officials conclude their review and confirm actions taken by Nevada OSHA after dropping fines against The Boring Company were justified.
According to the Nevada Department of Business and Industry office, Federal OSHA officials determined the Nevada office had a reasonable and justified reason to withdraw the citations.
Officials determined that the citations did not meet the legal criteria of a deliberate violation.
FOX5 previously reported that Nevada OSHA dropped more than $400,000 in safety fines against the Boring Company after two Clark County firefighters sustained chemical burns during a training exercise in the underground Vegas Loop tunnels. The fines were issued in May following a December incident.
WATCH MORE: Fines against Boring Co. for firefighter injuries dropped, retired firefighter pushes back
Mike Pilcher, retired firefighter and battalion chief with 32 years of service, told FOX5 he was alarmed by the decision to drop the citations.
“Today’s findings merely confirm what the Division of Industrial Relations legal counsel identified—that the citations issued did not meet the required legal standard. After identifying the deficiencies, Administrator Carreón and her team acted quickly to institute policies and procedures to address those concerns. I have full faith that the team at Nevada OSHA will continue to provide fair and impartial regulatory oversight of businesses that operate throughout the state,” said Department of Business and Industry Director Kristopher Sanchez.
MORE: Workers ‘burned by chemicals’ in Vegas Loop tunnel under Strip
Nevada OSHA says it is committed to protecting workers and maintaining accurate case files. The office has implemented new policies following the Federal review, which include:
- Clarity in when to seek legal counsel
- Documenting critical events and decisions
- Established clear procedures for changes to cases, such as when citations are withdrawn
“We have already implemented enhanced policies to strengthen documentation, clarify engagement with legal counsel, and establish clear procedures for case file management. These improvements reflect our ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in workplace safety enforcement,” said Division of Industrial Relations Administrator Victoria Carreón.
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