.png)
The federal agency that oversees operations at the Hoover Dam in Nevada is facing federal fines for safety violations, according to Fox News. Officials from the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspected the dam in July and October of 2012 and cited 58 health and safety violations, however OSHA assured the public none of them threatened the safety of the general public.
Violations include exposing workers to possible lead contamination and electrical hazards, a lack of personal protective equipment, a lack of protective guards on machines and equipment and exposure to other harmful chemicals. Approximately 250 employees work at the dam and the power plant.
Hoover Dam was built in 1936 and holds the Lake Mead Reservoir from the Colorado River. The power plant provides electricity to 1.3 million homes and businesses throughout Nevada, Arizona and California.
“We are taking the necessary steps to ensure the issues raised are fixed and do not happen again,” said Terry Fulp, regional chief of the Bureau of Reclamation, the agency that operates the dam.
These are very serious safety violations and the dam operators cannot put workers at risk. Please visit our firm’s website for more information on workers comp and contact our firm today for a free consultation.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus workers comp lawyers.