Nevada lawmakers examine OSHA violations tied to Musk’s Vegas tunnel project

(UI) — Nevada legislators are scrutinizing workplace and environmental safety concerns tied to The Boring Company’s underground tunnel operations in Las Vegas, raising questions about regulatory enforcement and state involvement, as reported by the Reno Gazette Journal.

During a meeting of the legislative Interim Committee on Growth and Infrastructure, lawmakers examined a history of alleged violations connected to the company’s Vegas Loop tunnel system. Assemblymember Howard Watts, whose district includes the four-mile underground transit system, said the project warrants closer oversight due to the volume of complaints and enforcement actions.

State regulators confirmed that Nevada OSHA has received 17 complaints and referrals related to the company’s operations since 2020, including several filed in 2025 and early 2026. The Nevada Department of Environmental Protection and local agencies have also cited numerous alleged violations.

According to reporting by the Reno Gazette Journal, some incidents have involved worker injuries, chemical exposure during training exercises, and excavation-related impacts near Las Vegas Monorail infrastructure. In one case, Nevada OSHA initially proposed more than $425,000 in penalties tied to an incident in which two Clark County firefighters reportedly suffered chemical burns. Those citations were later withdrawn after state officials determined they were legally insufficient.

Lawmakers also questioned a meeting facilitated by the governor’s office between company representatives and state regulators shortly after citations were issued. Gov. Joe Lombardo’s office said its role was limited to facilitating communication and described its involvement as “minimal, if any, actual involvement.”

State Department of Business and Industry Director Kristopher Sanchez told lawmakers that enforcement decisions were not influenced by outside pressure.

Committee members additionally raised concerns about delays within Nevada’s Occupational Safety and Health Review Board, which handles contested citations. Officials acknowledged that case backlogs and scheduling gaps have extended the time required to resolve enforcement matters. Current lapse times exceed 400 days, significantly longer than the national average of roughly 180 days.

Lawmakers signaled that legislative action may be considered to strengthen regulators’ authority and streamline enforcement proceedings for large infrastructure projects, particularly where repeated safety concerns are alleged.

The Vegas Loop tunnel system, developed by The Boring Company, consists of underground transportation corridors beneath the Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding areas, with planned expansion across the city.

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