NV subcommittee eyes workplace safety standards

Earlier this month a Nevada legislative subcommittee approved measures that aim to put more bite in workplace safety regulations. One of the most aggressive proposals would authorize the state attorney general or district attorneys to prosecute employers in the event of an on-the-job death.

"When somebody dies on the job, we want as many objective observers looking at it," said Assemblyman Marcus Conklin, member of the Nevada Legislative Commission's Subcommittee to Review the U.S. Department of Labor's Report on the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Program.

The subcommittee also approved the following recommendations:

• An increase of insurance assessments, fines and other fees levied by the state on employers;

• Authorization for state inspectors to cite employers for safety violations even if they do not see workers exposed to the hazards; and

• Businesses that fail to pay safety violation fines would be prevented from renewing their licenses.

The subcommittee's proposed regulations still need to be reviewed by the Legislative Commission,  approved by the 2011 Legislature, which convenes in February, and signed by the governor before they can go into effect.

"We have a full year from now before the end of the next regular session for these things to be worked on," said subcommittee Chairwoman Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas. "Today is not the end all, be all. It is just the next step in a long process of trying to address these very serious issues that came out of the report."

Nevada's construction workplace safety standards have come under scrutiny after 25 worker deaths on Southern Nevada job sites in 2007 and 2008. In many of the cases, the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) levied minimal or no fines.

In mid-March, a bill was introduced in Congress that, if approved, would authorize the federal OSHA to intervene in state programs when their enforcement of safety regulations are deemed inadequate.

For more about the subcommittee, visit: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Interim/75th2009/Committee/Interim/
OccupationalSafety/?ID=69

NV DOT DBE Goal Public Notice

The Nevada Department of Transportation's proposed Annual Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program goal for Federal Fiscal Year 2011 is 5.9 percent in a combined race conscious and race neutral program. The combination of race conscious goals is 2.9% and the race neutral goal is 3.0%. The proposed goal and the rationale are available for inspection in the Nevada Department of Transportation Contract Compliance Division office.

Three Public Meetings will be held as follows:

1. Elko on June 29, 2010, from 4 PM to 6 PM at 1951 Idaho Street Elko, NV 89801, in the main conference room.

2. Reno on June 30, 2010, from 4 PM to 6 PM at 310 Galletti Way Sparks, NV 89431 in the main conference room.

3. Las Vegas July 1, 2010, from 4 PM to 6 PM at 123 E. Washington St. Las Vegas, NV 89101 in Training Room A.

The Nevada Department of Transportation will accept written public comment until July 30, 2009, at the following address:

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE DIVISION
1263 S STEWART STREET
CARSON CITY NV 89712

Questions or comments relating to the DBE goal should be directed to Roc A. Stacey, Contract Compliance Manager, at (775) 888-7497. NOTE: Reasonable efforts will be made to assist and accommodate physically handicapped persons desiring to attend the meeting. Request for auxiliary aids or services to assist individuals with disabilities should be made with as much advance notice as possible to Julie Maxey, NDOT, and Public Hearings Officer at (775) 888-7171.

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For more information on how DBE GoodFaith can help your business, contact a representative at (877) 802-3394 or visit www.dbegoodfaith.com.

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