Safety compliance 40% at Nevada casino hotel pools

During “targeted observations” over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, no water parks and only 40% of casino hotel pools were in compliance with COVID-19 workplace safety measures that include social distancing and face masks, the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations said in a statement released Monday. 

The division’s Occupation Safety and Health Administration says it is 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.

On July 3, officials visited casino hotel pools, a water park, bars and gaming floors and found a statewide compliance rate of 76%, which included 80% on hotel gaming floors and in bars.

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. If a violation is found during the follow-up visit, a notice of citation and penalty will be issued. The maximum penalty of $134,940 can be assessed to an employer that willfully violates the provisions of the directive, according to the statement.

Nevada OSHA says it has received more than 1,000 COVID-19 safety-related complaints since mid-March. Since the face-covering mandate went into effect, complaint volume received by the established hotlines has increased significantly and additional staff has been assigned to help assist with these call volumes.

More insurance and workers compensation news on the coronavirus crisis here.