Nevada Governor's office covered up Boring Co safety violations
7 days ago
- #Elon-Musk
- #workplace-safety
- #political-interference
- Nevada OSHA fined Elon Musk's Boring Company over $400,000 for workplace safety violations, including chemical burns suffered by firefighters during a training exercise.
- Boring Company President Steve Davis contacted Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo's office, leading to a meeting where the citations were rescinded the next day.
- Records of the meeting with the Governor's office were removed from public documents, and case files showed irregularities, including missing documents.
- Nevada OSHA staff expressed concerns about political interference and the chilling effect on regulatory enforcement.
- Boring Company denied responsibility for the firefighters' injuries, blaming the Clark County Fire Department, but OSHA initially issued three 'willful' citations.
- After the Governor's office intervened, the citations were withdrawn without following standard appeals processes.
- Safety issues persist at Boring Company sites, with reports of daily chemical burns and a lack of proper safety protocols.
- Nevada OSHA has since updated its policies, including a mandatory 30-day lawyer review for high-profile cases.
- Boring Company has faced additional fines for environmental violations, including dumping wastewater in Las Vegas.
- Current and former employees describe a 'cowboy' culture with little regard for safety, fearing that serious consequences will only come after fatalities.