October 20, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis today made the following statements on the release of the Department of Labor’s report on the Nevada Occupational Safety & Health Program and the impact it will have on reducing the number of on-site accidents, injuries and deaths in Nevada.

“I salute the brave men and women who work on dangerous job sites throughout our state.  Without their professionalism, skill, and courage, the city of Las Vegas and the state of Nevada would not be what it is today.  That is why following a series of unfortunate accidents, many of them fatal, I welcome today’s report from the Department of Labor reviewing of the Nevada Occupational Safety & Health Program,” Reid said.  This report identifies numerous safety steps and agency procedures Nevada OSHA could have taken to help prevent injuries and accidents.  Additionally, the report provides numerous recommendations that Nevada OSHA can implement to help ensure the future safety of all employees.  Going forward, I am hopeful that all stakeholders will work together to improve procedures and safety conditions in workplaces throughout our state.”

“The safety of workers must be priority one, and the U.S. Department of Labor is stepping up review of state OSHA plans to ensure that is the case,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “This is a critical challenge, and addressing it thoughtfully will save lives as we move from reaction to prevention. I am pleased that Nevada OSHA cooperated fully throughout the evaluation process and that the state agency’s new leadership has pledged to take prompt corrective action.”