Carpenter Union Worker Claims Las Vegas F1 Grandstands Unsafe

  • Joe Dotson, Data Engineering Lead for the SMSC, claims F1 scaffolding may not be safe
  • He alleges F1 is using cheap out-of-state workers who don’t have safety certifications
  • F1 has already taken criticism this month after MGM cut down its Bellagio trees
F1 cars
A worker for a union that represents Nevada carpenters has warned of unsafe grandstands for the Las Vegas grand prix. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Las Vegas is due to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix for the first time in more than 40 years this November. While fans are excited at the idea of race cars speeding down the iconic Las Vegas Strip, one carpenter union worker is supposedly concerned about the safety of the grandstands for spectators.

F1 is trying to avoid footing a hefty bill for grandstand construction

Joe Dotson, who claims to be Data Engineering Lead for the Southwest Mountain States Carpenters, has warned that F1 is trying to avoid footing a hefty bill for grandstand construction by using cheap non-union laborers. He explained that most of those hired don’t have certain safety certifications, such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cards:

An OSHA card is issued by the US Department of Labor for students who have completed a safety training program, teaching workers how to recognize and avoid job-related hazards.

Dotson, who works for a union that represents carpenters in Nevada and 11 other states, went on to claim that the F1 grandstands cost $2,500 each to build. However, he alleges the racing organization is paying the out-of-state workers $16 per hour to construct them, adding: “Del Taco pays better than that.”

Dotson has not provided any concrete evidence to back up his claims. VegasSlotsOnline News has reached out to him for comment.

This isn’t the first time the Las Vegas F1 has been called into question this month. MGM Resorts International took the heat for cutting down trees in front of the Bellagio to make room for grandstands along the racecourse.?

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