OSHA Fines Elon Musk’s Vegas Loop for Safety Violations

Posted on: February 28, 2024, 10:07h.

Last updated on: February 28, 2024, 11:34h.

Corey Levitan Read More

Expertise: Commercial Gaming, Entertainment, Expert Insight, Las Vegas.

The Vegas Loop, Elon Musk’s underground tunnel system on and around the Strip, has been fined more than $100K for eight serious safety violations by the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA defines “serious” violations as associated with a “substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could occur.”

A photo from the OSHA report shows a Vegas Loop tunnel, through which Boring Company employees are forced to walk while working, flooded with a sludge containing dangerous chemicals. (Image: OSHA)

According to OSHA’s report, 15-20 employees with the Boring Company, the business that digs the so-called Tesla tunnels, had their skin burned by chemicals while connecting hoses last June. The chemicals, which were defined as accelerants, reportedly soaked through employees’ clothing, absorbing into their skin and producing “skin irritation, skin rashes, and skin chemical burns.”

No showers were available for the injured workers, according to the report, which also found that the Boring Company didn’t provide employees with appropriate eye and face protection or proper hazardous materials training. The report also noted the collapse of an overloaded muck bin near workers.

In all, Boring’s fines totaled $112K.

The Boring Company contested all eight citations to the OSHA Review Board, though a hearing date has yet to be set.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority issued the following statement on the matter:

The OSHA violations were brought to our attention by The Boring Company last summer. Those incidents were reviewed and addressed at that time. The LVCVA is committed to ensuring the health and safety of those employed on any LVCVA project. That expectation was emphasized with The Boring Company during last summer’s review.”

The Vegas Loop is an underground transportation system that uses Tesla cars to shuttle passengers between five stations — four at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and another at Resorts World. The system is only partially completed, with 55 additional stops envisioned for 68 miles of completed tunnels in and around Las Vegas.