SAFETY BLOG

The state of Nevada has been developing a bill that would set a potential precedent for construction workers and workplace safety in the United States.  Nevada has reported a rash of construction fatalities and injuries in recent months.  The Las Vegas Strip alone has had twelve construction worker fatalities in the last eighteen months, and the entire state is reporting more deaths in the last two years than in the previous ten.  State legislators are quickly trying to alter the current trends.

Assembly Bill 148 would require all private and public construction workers in the state of Nevada to show proof of safety training to their employers.  Baseline construction workers would have to prove that they have successfully completed training in areas such as fall protection, electrical safety, walking and working surfaces, etc.  The level of training reflected in the Bill appears to be similar to topics covered in an OSHA Construction 10-Hour training.  Construction supervisors in Nevada would be required to prove that they have completed a 30-hour safety training.  Workers would have fifteen days from date of hire to show proof of training to their employers or otherwise be subject to dismissal.  The bill met no opposition from the Assembly Ways and Means Committee and was sent to the floor of the House for a vote next week.

Currently there are no states that require construction workers to have safety trainings.  There are however, states that do require safety certificates for construction employees on public projects.  Assembly Bill 148 would require proof of training on all public and private projects for any and all construction workers.  The only exception to the Bill would be state Department of Transportation employees.

In a nation plagued by liabilities and lawsuits, all eyes of the states will be on the reported results of this law.  If the fatality and injury rates for Nevada decrease, which they most certainly will, do not be surprised if other states begin to develop similar proposals.