Result of an OSHA investigation
Casino operator MGM Resorts has announced that Aria Resort & Casino in downtown Las Vegas plans to dispute the $12,617 fine handed to it for COVID-19 social distancing violations.
The citation to Aria appeared in a Monday statement by the Division of Industrial Relations’s Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The division said an investigation began after Nevada OSHA received a complaint or referral concerning social distancing protocols violations at point-of-sale terminals used by employees at Aria Resort & Casino.
In a statement, MGM revealed that:
Aria […] plans to contest the citation and penalty because it does not believe it has violated any safety laws.”
Employers have a 30-day window after receiving a citation in which to file a formal notice of contest. The OSHA Review Board would then schedule a hearing, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
Aria falls foul of first visit
The State of Nevada Department of Business and Industry listed Aria’s penalty in a press release. It disclosed that, since late June, OSHA officials have undertaken 9,655 initial visits to businesses and found a cumulative 89% compliance rate for the state of Nevada.
could face closure if there is future non-compliance
If officials observe violations on their first inspection of a business, they will open an investigation with the employer. On confirmation of the violations, the OHSA will then issue a citation. Establishments like the MGM-run Aria Resort & Casino could face closure if there is future non-compliance.
“Aria has been cooperating with Nevada OSHA […] There is no higher priority than the health and safety of our guests and employees and nothing we take more seriously,” MGM said.
Casino unaffected by Park MGM hotel closure
MGM Resorts made headlines again this week after it announced in a Tuesday memo to employees that the Park MGM hotel in Las Vegas will shut midweek, starting November 9.
The hotel will close at noon on Mondays and reopen at noon Thursdays. However, Park MGM’s casino will remain open as per usual, alongside restaurants, amenities, pool, and the NoMad hotel.