Firefighters Suffer Chemical Burns at Boring Company Site

Chemical Burns Reported at The Boring Company’s Las Vegas Site

A recent report by Fortune details how firefighters participating in a safety exercise at a construction site operated by The Boring Company in Las Vegas sustained chemical burns. The incident occurred during tunnel excavation activities.

The Clark County firefighters involved were not initially informed about the potential risks associated with the chemicals used. Consequently, they suffered permanent scarring as a result of exposure.

Tunnel Project and Safety Concerns

For several years, The Boring Company has been engaged in digging tunnels throughout Las Vegas. The aim is to establish a city-wide subterranean transportation network utilizing Tesla vehicles for passenger transport.

This project represents an initial, scaled-back attempt to realize Elon Musk’s vision of underground transportation systems. Earlier concepts included more ambitious ideas such as hyperloops and larger-capacity people movers.

Since its commencement, the project has faced numerous safety issues and reported injuries. Work was temporarily suspended in September following a severe “crushing injury” sustained by an employee.

Chemical Burns and Emergency Drills

Prior reporting by Fortune’s Jessica Mathews indicates that employees of The Boring Company have experienced chemical burns for an extended period. These burns are caused by an accelerant used to reinforce the concrete tunnel walls.

In late 2024, the Clark County Fire Department (CCFD) initiated emergency rescue drills at the tunnel locations. However, firefighters were apparently not briefed on the potential for chemical burns during the drill preparation.

The chemical, when combined with groundwater and soil, creates pools of a hazardous substance. Despite attempts to remove this substance before the drills, some remained.

Firefighters reported skin irritation due to their boots being filled with the chemical muck and required medical attention for burns at a local hospital. This led to an investigation by Nevada’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Dispute and OSHA Investigation

The Boring Company attributed the incident to the firefighters, asserting that failures in the training plan were the responsibility of CCFD personnel. This claim was made by a lawyer representing The Boring Company in correspondence with Nevada OSHA.

Despite this assertion, Nevada OSHA issued three “willful” citations – its most severe classification – to The Boring Company in May, accompanied by proposed fines totaling $425,595.

On the same day, Steve Davis, president of The Boring Company and a close associate of Elon Musk, contacted the Nevada governor’s office. He spoke with the state infrastructure lead, who previously worked at Tesla.

The following day, Nevada officials at a high level convened with Davis and representatives from The Boring Company. This meeting deviated significantly from standard procedures for citation and appeals, according to former OSHA officials.

Citations Withdrawn and Concerns Raised

Subsequently, Nevada OSHA withdrew the citations. This action was considered unusual given the initial findings.

Furthermore, the agency’s documentation of the citation removal was found to be incomplete, as acknowledged by a representative from the state agency. A document within the case file was altered to conceal evidence of the meeting between The Boring Company’s leadership and the governor’s office.

The information regarding the meeting was reinstated after Fortune brought the alteration to light.