Officials say the Division of Industrial Relations (DIR) Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are conducting ongoing field observations and inspections at establishments where patrons congregate for longer periods of time, which can lead to a heightened risk of spreading COVID-19.
They say since the Governor’s Declaration of Emergency Directive 024 went into effect on June 26, approximately 84 percent of businesses in northern Nevada and 66 percent of businesses in southern Nevada were in compliance on the date of the initial observation.Â
Officials say the Division has conducted 921 initial field observations at large and small establishments including grocery, home improvement and clothing stores, hair and nail salons, tattoo parlors, bars and restaurant lounges, casino hotel gaming floors and pools.
They say on July 3, officials visited casino hotel pools, a water park, bars, and gaming floors and found a statewide compliance rate of 76 percent; 82 percent in northern Nevada and 75 percent in the south.
The surveys concluded:
- Water park - not in compliance
- Casino hotel pools - 40 percent compliance
- Bars - 80 percent compliance
- Casino hotel gaming floors - 80 percent compliance
Officials say if noncompliance is found during an initial observation, the business is provided a written notice and request for voluntary compliance and a follow up visit by Nevada OSHA officials will be conducted.
They say if a violation is found during the follow up visit, a notice of citation and penalty will be issued.
They say the maximum penalty of $134,940 can be assessed to an employer that willfully violates the provisions of the directive.
Officials say in addition, a notice will be provided to the business indicating that in the event of future noncompliance, the Administrator may issue an order requiring the business to cease all activity at the business location during this state of emergency under NRS 618.545(1) until the business has established and implemented operating procedures to comply with the requirements.
They say Nevada OSHA has received over 1,000 COVID-19 safety-related complaints since mid-March.Â
Officials say since the face covering mandate went into effect, complaint volume received by the established hotlines has increased significantly.
They say additional staff has been assigned to help assist with these call volumes.
Officials say the agency is collaborating with local jurisdictions and other regulatory agencies through information sharing and response coordinate to address the most critical and pressing complaints.
Due to high call volumes, employees are encouraged to file complaints online here.
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