NEVADA (KTNV) — Two Reno area businesses, including a Costco, were cited by the state for COVID-19 safety violations.
Read the full Division of Industrial Relations’ Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration, also known as OSHA, report for the week beginning on Nov. 30 below.
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CITATIONS FOR NONCOMPLIANCE
Costco Wholesale Corporation
4810 Galleria Parkway, Sparks, NV 89436
Inspection #1503599
Penalty: $6,268
Violation Summary: The COVID-19 adjusted capacity was not posted at the public entrance
The citation was issued after an investigation was opened into a complaint or referral filed with Nevada OSHA.
Raine’s Market, Inc.
901 N. Main Street, Eureka, NV 89316
Inspection #1502876
Penalty: $2,950
Violation Summary: Employees at the establishment were not wearing face coverings. Additionally, patrons were permitted inside the store without face coverings.
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.
OBSERVATION FINDINGS
Nevada OSHA has issued a total of 190 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.
Employers have 30 calendar days to pay the citation, request an informal conference or appeal the notice of citation and penalty by filing a formal contest for a hearing by the independent Nevada OSHA Review Board.
Upon the finalization of the process, any penalties paid are deposited into the Workers’ Compensation and Safety Fund, which provides funding for a variety of agencies and programs including the Division of Industrial Relations, Nevada Attorney for Injured Workers, Hearings Division of the Department of Administration, the Workers’ Compensation Ombudsman position within Consumer Health Assistance at DHHS, Legislative Counsel Bureau, the Attorney General’s Fraud Control Program, Division of Insurance review of self-insured insurer rates and Subsequent Injury Funds.
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, Nevada OSHA’s Guidance for Roadmap to Recovery and subsequent directives, DIR officials have conducted 10,421 initial visits at business establishments finding a cumulative 89.5 percent statewide compliance rate, a 91 percent compliance rate in northern Nevada and 88 percent compliance in southern Nevada.
During the week beginning November 30, officials conducted 117 initial visits across the state at a wide range of business sectors finding a 98 percent compliance rate statewide.
OBSERVATION FINDINGS: FOLLOW UP
Since observations to determine compliance with mandated health and safety measures began, DIR officials have conducted 2,370 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 30, officials conducted 116 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.
Of the 5,512 complaints received (as of Dec. 2), 29 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), 304 complaints
- 89109 (Las Vegas/ Unincorporated Clark County), 235 complaints
- 89431 (Sparks), 200 complaints
- 89119 (Unincorporated Clark County), 172 complaints
- 89434 (Sparks), 156 complaints
Additional complaint data is available on the Division’s observation and complaint data dashboard.
Workplace health and safety complaints can be reported to the Division by filing an online complaint here.
