OSHA Drops Fines at Elon Musk's NV Company Where Firefighters were Injured

A veteran battalion chief says he's alarmed that Nevada OSHA has dropped fines against a Elon Musk-owned company where two firefighters were burned during a training incident last year.

After two Clark County firefighters suffered chemical burns while involved in the underground Vegas Loop tunnels, the Boring Company was fined more than $400,000 for safety violations, KVVU reported.

“I’m deeply alarmed by what appears to be interference in Nevada’s workplace safety,” said Retired Reno Battalion Chief Mike Pilcher.

Firefighters must train for underground rescues as they would pose unique challenges.

Pilcher said the Boring Company blamed the firefighters for their injuries.

“The Boring Company blamed the firefighters for their injuries. If that’s not passing the buck, then I don’t know what is."

In addition to fines being dropped, he is appalled that the safety issues weren't addressed.

“So no consideration of reduction in fines, no requirement to improve the toxic pooling inside the tunnels to make for a safer working environment. Nothing for workers safety after a months long investigation by OSHA,” he said.

Nevada OSHA told reporters proving willful violations would be difficult to proove.

Officials wrote in a statement: “Willful violations have the highest level of proof required. NV OSHA must prove the employer knew about a hazardous condition and either deliberately disregarded the law or acted with plain indifference. It is obvious that efforts were made... it was clear that this citation was not legally supportable.”

There are still two OSHA inspections underway at the company.