Elon Musk’s SpaceX has been fined $3,600 by U.S. worker safety officials after a recent incident at its Washington site, according to inspection records. The incident involved a near amputation of a worker’s foot when a roll of material fell and crushed it. This comes as concerns continue to mount over the company’s apparent disregard for worker safety regulations.
An investigation conducted late last year revealed that there have been at least 600 previously unreported injuries among SpaceX workers since 2014. There have been no official comments from the company regarding these incidents, which include a fatality and an injury that left a worker in a coma following a rocket engine malfunction in 2022.
Inspectors from Washington state’s Department of Labor and Industries discovered new safety violations at SpaceX’s Redmond site in December of last year. These violations were prompted by worker complaints. The inspectors found that there were inadequate work rules communication, a lack of thorough safety programs, and a failure to correct violations in a timely manner.
One aspect that was highlighted during the investigation was the fact that employees were not required to wear steel-toe shoes, even as the weight of the materials they loaded into machines significantly increased. This lack of safety measures contributed to the incident in which a worker’s foot was nearly amputated.
According to one employee who spoke to the inspectors, safety is often overlooked due to the company’s production targets. The employee also mentioned that the safety officials at the Redmond site lack the necessary competence to implement an effective safety plan.
This incident is just the latest in a series of safety concerns at SpaceX. A previous investigation uncovered the company’s failure to adhere to worker safety regulations and standard practices at its facilities nationwide, resulting in at least 600 unreported injuries since 2014.
In addition to safety concerns, SpaceX has faced other controversies related to its workplace environment. A report from November revealed that employees have resorted to extreme measures, such as using stimulants and sleeping in restrooms, in order to meet Elon Musk’s ambitious project timelines. The company has also recently faced allegations of discrimination and harassment in California, further raising concerns about its treatment of employees and its overall safety culture.
Furthermore, SpaceX has come under scrutiny for its labor practices. In January, the company filed a lawsuit against the U.S. labor board, challenging allegations of unlawful dismissals of employees who criticized Musk. These incidents have sparked a broader discussion about labor rights and workplace safety in the space industry.
It remains to be seen how SpaceX will address these ongoing safety concerns and work towards improving its safety culture. As the company continues to push boundaries in the space exploration industry, it is crucial that the well-being and safety of its workers are given the utmost priority.
