OSHA standards can be hard to understand, especially in states like Nevada, which has its own state plan. That’s why we are diving into OSHA Nevada standards and how they apply to safety training, as well as the importance of safety training for both workers and employers.
Occupational Safety and Health Jurisdiction in Nevada
OSHA allows states to assume their own occupational safety and health responsibilities as long as they're "at least as effective" as the federal program.
Nevada has an official state plan that covers all state and local government workers in Nevada, as well as most private-sector workers.
Their state plan incorporated most federal OSHA standards by reference, but there are a number of standards for which they've adopted their own distinct version.
It's enforced by the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Nevada OSHA) under the Division of Industrial Relations, Department of Business and Industry. They're the ones that perform inspections and issue fines for most Nevada employers.
Select Nevadans remain under federal OSHA jurisdiction, instead. Specifically:
- Federal employment
- The U.S. Postal Service plus private contractor-operated facilities engaged by USPS
- Maritime operations (ie, shipyards, marine terminals, longshoring)
- Contractors and subcontractors working on land under exclusive federal jurisdiction
- Private-sector employment on military bases and facilities
- Employment on Indian land
- Working conditions of aircraft cabin crewmembers onboard aircraft in operation
- Any hazard, industry, area, operation, or facility where the State Plan is unable to effectively exercise jurisdiction
Federal OSHA also retains enforcement of the whistleblower provisions. That means anyone in the state's private sector should go to the federal agency if they think they've been retaliated against for speaking up.
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OSHA Nevada Training Requirements
Nevadans will follow similar training requirements regardless of jurisdiction.
Many federal OSHA standards require training for workers who might encounter that specific hazard on the job. Workers must be trained on all required topics relevant to their function. Since Nevada adopted most standards "by reference," training mandates will mostly be the same for all Nevadans.
The only time jurisdiction might impact training are the standards where Nevada OSHA adopted its own particular version. Standards that might have different requirements and rules include:
General Industry Standards:
- Safety Programs
- Cranes
- Asbestos
- Explosives
- Ammonium Perchlorate
- Photovoltaic System Installation
- Sanitation
- Hazard Communication
Construction Standards:
- Cranes
- Steel Erection
- Asbestos
Required Outreach Training in Nevada
The state of Nevada requires certain workers to earn a "DOL card" within 15 days of employment. You earn a DOL Card by taking OSHA Outreach training, which was developed by federal OSHA as an orientation to safety.
Nevada requires all construction workers to take OSHA 10 Construction (for non-supervisors) and OSHA 30 Construction (for supervisors).
Recently, Nevada passed Assembly Bill 190, which requires all workers in the entertainment industry to acquire a DOL card. Entry-level entertainment workers need an OSHA 10 General Industry card, while their supervisors need an OSHA 30 General Industry card.
Nevada does not require refresher training for either group. The DOL cards don't expire.
Outside of construction and entertainment, OSHA Nevada Outreach courses are optional (unless your employer requires it). The good news is, OSHA 10 and 30 courses cover training on commonly required standards for your industry, so it's two birds, one stone.
Benefits of OSHA Nevada Training for Workers
To improve employees’ awareness and understanding of job site hazards and prevent workplace injuries, OSHA suggests safety training. However, employees aren’t the only ones that will benefit from workplace safety training; Nevada employers will also benefit from their investment in OSHA training. They can:
- Avoid penalties from OSHA inspections
- Lower workers’ compensation costs
- Increase productivity and financial performance
While it’s easy for us to say that safety training will keep workers safe, it’s even more compelling to share statistics from OSHA, the Department of Labor, and other Nevada agencies. These statistics will quickly show you the importance of safety training to prevent injuries and fatalities.

Fatal Occupational Injuries in Nevada
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were a total of 32 fatal occupational injuries in Nevada in 2017, while nationally there were 5,147 fatal occupational injuries.
Of the 34 fatalities:
- 13 were the result of transportation incidents
- 8 were the result of violence and other injuries by persons or animals
- 7 were the result of falls, slips, and trips
- 3 were the result of exposure to harmful substances or environments
The industries with the greatest number of fatalities were:
- 6 in government (4 local, 1 state, 1 federal)
- 5 in construction
- 4 in transportation and warehousing
- 4 in administrative and waste services
- 4 in natural resources and mining
- 4 in leisure and hospitality
- 3 in retail trade
2018-2019 Top OSHA Enforcement Cases in Nevada
From the statistics above, it’s easy to see how workers are at risk for injuries and fatalities in many different industries. However, with the lack of training Nevada businesses are also at high-risk for loss. Take a look at the financial penalties that Nevada businesses faced from OSHA noncompliance in 2018-2019.
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State | Inspection Number | Employer | City | Issuance Date | Initial Penalty |
NV | 1377439.015 | PHWLV, LLC | LAS VEGAS | 05/17/2019 | $130,800.00 |
NV | 1337827.015 | Daehan Solution Nevada, LLC | FERNLEY | 12/14/2018 | $41,520.00 |
NV | 1339771.015 | U.S. Postal Service | LAS VEGAS | 11/07/2018 | $129,336.00 |
NV | 1304086.015 | Lobo Construction, LLC | CARSON CITY | 06/01/2018 | $70,000.00 |
NV | 1277574.015 | Brady Linen Services, LLC | NORTH LAS VEGAS | 03/26/2018 | $84,000.00 |
NV | 1285423.015 | Vidur S. Mahadeva, MD | RENO | 03/02/2018 | $49,000.00 |
Federal and State OSHA Offices in Nevada
Since Nevada employers and workers are divided up into federal and state jurisdiction, there are separate local area offices for state and federal OSHA.
You need to contact the local area OSHA office in Las Vegas if you're in the narrow group under federal jurisdiction.
Everyone else needs one of the Nevada state plan offices. There are two:
- Reno
- Las Vegas
You can find the most up-to-date contact information for either type of Nevada OSHA office on OSHA's website.
Additional Nevada Resources for Safety Information
In addition to the information we have provided, you can visit additional Nevada state agency and association websites for more information on safety resources.
State of Nevada Department of Business and Industry: The department operates within the state government and has several divisions that help businesses operate legally while also providing services to workers and job seekers.
Enroll Now in Nevada OSHA Training Courses
While you now understand the importance of OSHA Nevada training in the well-being of workers, supervisors, and employers, you still need to select the safety training course that will best fit your situation.
Luckily, you don’t need to look too far! We have over 20 years of experience as an OSHA-authorized training provider, and we offer OSHA 10-Hour Construction, OSHA 30-Hour Construction, OSHA 10-Hour General Industry, and OSHA 30-Hour General Industry to satisfy your OSHA training needs.
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