State Issues More Than $73,000 in COVID Safety Fines

Monday, August 24, 2020 | 0

The Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced more than $73,000 in new fines for businesses violating COVID-19 safety guidance, including more than $10,000 in penalties for a pair of restaurants that were investigated as a result of workplace complaints.

The agency said citations were issued to Metro Pizza in Las Vegas and to The Tap in Boulder City after violations were uncovered during an investigation that was initiated as a result of a referral alleging workplace safety hazards. Metro Pizza was fined $6,073, and The Tap was fined $4,858.

Walmart, a company that has regularly appeared in the state's OSHA penalty announcements, was fined $12,617 for failing to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines at a store in Mesquite. The retail giant was fined more than $42,000 for similar COVID-19 violations throughout the state in July.

Neiman Marcus was fined $8,501 for violations at its store in the Fashion Show Mall. Earlier in August, the state announced that it cited Saks Fifth Avenue, Shiekh Shoes and Forever 21 $8,501 each for similar violations at stores in the mall at the North end of the Las Vegas Strip.

Other companies fined in the latest round of citations include:

• Purcell Tire & Rubber Co. in Fernley, $5,162.
• Mesquite Ford Lincoln RV in Mesquite, $8,501.
• Mesquite Lumber & Supply in Mesquite, $8,501.
• Rock’s 76 in Las Vegas, $6,073.
• A 7-Eleven store in Las Vegas, $6,073.
• U.S. Tire Center & Auto Repair Inc. in Las Vegas, $2,892.
• El Tarahumara Auto Service in Las Vegas, $4,048.

The latest round of citations brings total penalties assessed since the end of June to more than $185,000.

Gov. Steve Sisolak on June 24 issued an emergency order requiring that businesses ensure workers and customers wear masks to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The state Department of Industrial Relations said it has visited more than 6,000 job sites since then and found a statewide compliance rate of 88%.