In the wake of Tesla’s highly anticipated launch of its Cybertruck, unsettling reports are surfacing about the safety conditions at the Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, where the innovative electric vehicle is being manufactured. A recent investigation by The Information has unveiled a series of disturbing incidents, including a casting machine explosion and allegations of a robot injuring a worker.
According to the report, data from Tesla’s injury reports submitted to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reveals that in 2022, one out of every 21 workers at the Gigafactory suffered injuries. Shockingly, the report details a 2021 incident in which an engineer was reportedly clawed and pinned to a wall by a robot arm. The engineer allegedly bled from his back and arms, leaving a trail of blood after the emergency stop button was pressed.
The report also highlights other incidents, such as a worker’s ankle getting caught under a cart in August 2022, resulting in 127 days away from work. Another worker suffered a head injury days later, sidelining them for 85 days. More recently, around New Year’s 2023, an explosion in the metal casting area reportedly caused a worker to be concussed. The explosion, attributed to water mixing into a molten aluminum press machine, may not have been reported to OSHA.
Concerns about the molding machine at the factory have been raised, with one worker alleging that it frequently spat out molten metal. When a proposed solution was presented to address the issue, the worker claims they were reprimanded for suggesting a shutdown that would slow production.
The report also sheds light on a June incident where contractors installing metal grating for elevated walkways fell to the ground due to a lack of protective equipment. The incident resulted in fractures and a punctured lung, with OSHA subsequently inspecting and fining the contractors.
Employees describe the work culture at the Gigafactory as “ultra hardcore,” with complaints of extremely long hours, unsafe working conditions, harassment, and more. This report comes amid historical concerns about worker injuries at Tesla’s Fremont factory in California, where the injury rate among employees surpasses the national average.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, known for his opposition to employee unionization efforts, chose to build the Texas factory in a “right to work” state, making union organization more challenging. SpaceX, Musk’s other company in Texas, has also recently faced scrutiny for allegedly ignoring workplace injuries. The revelations are prompting calls for increased scrutiny of workplace safety practices at Tesla and renewed discussions about workers’ rights within the company.
