Division of Industrial Relations
Occupational Safety and Health Administration

THE NEVADA OCCUPATIONAL Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $185,000 in fines against The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, a Boyd Gaming Corporation property, for nine violations of federal and state workplace standards. In addition to agreeing to pay the fine, Boyd Gaming has agreed to partner with OSHA in implementing a series of unprecedented safety and health programs throughout its corporate structure.

OSHA opened an investigation on February 2, 2007, when two employees were fatally injured and one employee was hospitalized after attempting to clear a blockage in grease traps, which were contained in a manhole at The Orleans Hotel and Casino. The first employee to enter was exposed to unknown quantities of gas and died. Two more engineers entered the same pit in order to rescue the first engineer that had fallen unconscious. Both of these engineers were also exposed to unknown quantities of gas. One died and one went to the hospital in critical condition.

In a related matter, Boyd Gaming has entered into an Agreement to Cooperate with Nevada OSHA. The agreement seeks to improve and enhance Boyd Gaming's safety and health program through several initiatives, including re-structuring the safety function at corporate and property level, entering into the Nevada Safety Consultation and Training Section's Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program, and implementing advanced safety processes at each of its nine properties.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of Nevada's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health.