LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — During initial observations conducted Sept. 21 through 26, Division of Industrial Relations (DIR) officials found that 90% of the 359 businesses visited were compliant with required health and safety measures to slow community spread of COVID-19. Initial visits during this time period were focused primarily on bars and restaurants.
Industry compliance for business types with 10 or more observations were as follows:
- General Retail, 18 observations- 67%
- Bars, 103 observations- 86%
- Hair/ Nail/ Tattoo Salons, 10 observations- 90%
- Other, 57 observations- 91%
- Real Estate, 13 observations- 92%
- Restaurants, 98 observations- 94%
- Medical, 16 observations- 100%
- Financial Institutions, 10 observations- 100%
A total of 8,507 initial visits have been conducted since the Governor’s Declaration of Emergency Directive 24 went into effect with an overall compliance rate of 89%. In northern Nevada, 4,276 businesses have been observed with a 90% rate of compliance, while 4,231 initial observations in southern Nevada found 87% compliance.
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Officials also conducted 124 follow up visits, 97 of those were conducted in northern Nevada and found a 100% compliance rate. In southern Nevada, 27 follow up visits were conducted with a 56% compliance rate. Repeated observed violations may result in the opening of an investigation in order to substantiate the observed violative conditions and may lead to the issuance of a Notice of Citation and Penalty.
A total of 1,568 follow up visits have been conducted statewide, resulting in a cumulative compliance rate of 95%, with 97 percent overall compliance in northern Nevada and 92 percent in the south.
No citations were issued as a result of the observation process last week.
In addition to the field observation process, Nevada OSHA continues respond to complaints and referrals regarding face coverings, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, and other areas of concern related to COVID-19 received by their offices. More than 3,700 complaints have been received since mid-March. The majority of these complaints are resolved through an employer inquiry and response process. In instances where the inquiry process does not provide a satisfactory response or resolution of the complaint, an investigation is opened. An in-field inspection can also be initiated when violations of standard or regulation are alleged in addition to COVID concerns. A notice of citation and penalty is issued to the business if a violation is found as a result of the investigation.
Workplace safety concerns can be filed online with Nevada OSHA at https://www.osha.gov/pls/osha7/eComplaintForm.html.
