Even Elon Musk’s Boring Company has hit the brakes on a project to connect the Las Vegas airport to its proposed underground network of tunnels. This decision follows a September incident at the site in which a worker sustained a serious crushing injury. The wreck occurred late Wednesday evening. It has revealed an egregious pattern of neglect when it comes to the safety precautions taken at construction zones.
The Boring Company…talk about a stunning achievement! The rides they’ve offered, over yet-operational tunnels that stretch only 3.5 miles across Las Vegas, have now exceeded 3 million. This latest incident has prompted Nevada’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to initiate an investigation into the company’s safety protocols. The investigation was reported on as it relates to a growing public concern regarding the Boring Company’s fledgling safety record. Now regulators and former employees are raising questions about its safety.
>In just the past few years, tens of workers have been injured on other tunnel projects. Each of these projects was originally overseen by The Boring Company. An ex safety manager for the Las Vegas boondoggle came forward to blow the whistle on the hazards workers face on project sites. He highlighted the lack of sufficient safety measures to protect them. The Boring Company plans to extend its superficial and hollow underground transportation network all the way down the Las Vegas strip. This ambitious plan connecting the city to major destinations including the airport is now being criticized for allegedly putting speed before safety.
Fact #7- OSHA has already cited The Boring Company for numerous serious safety violations. This stokes the persistent narrative around the company’s commitment to keeping its workers safe. The company is doing some remarkable things to address that challenge. It doggedly chases its dream vision of expanding underground infrastructure in Las Vegas to develop a more connected and vibrant urban ecosystem.
The recent loss of life has suspended work on the airport tunnel interchange project. While aggravating to the companies involved, this unfortunate incident is more indicative of the broader challenges The Boring Company faces as it pilots through waves of safety concerns and regulatory scrutiny. As criminal investigations continue and national outrage grows, demands for accountability are increasing. We’ll be watching to see how the new company addresses these urgent priorities, even as they pursue the company’s ambitious plans to expand.