Report: At Musk's SpaceX, Hundreds of Hidden Injuries
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The report reveals over 600 workplace injuries at SpaceX since 2014, with injury rates higher than industry average.
- Unsafe working conditions attributed to Musk's aggressive deadlines and aversion to bureaucracy.
- Serious injuries, minimal fines, and failure to report accidents to regulators raise concerns.
- Musk's focus on Mars mission seen as compromising worker safety.
- Musk's personal involvement and disregard for safety measures also highlighted.
SUMMARY
The report from Reuters reveals that there have been at least 600 workplace injuries at Elon Musk's SpaceX facilities since 2014, many of which were severe or led to disability. The injuries included burns, cuts, fractures, dislocations, sprains, head injuries, crushed limbs, electrocutions, and accidents resulting in amputations. One death was also reported, involving a retired Marine who fell from a truck while transporting foam insulation. The report suggests that workers at SpaceX are often inadequately trained and overtired, with safety processes dismissed as workers raced to meet aggressive deadlines for space missions. The report also mentions Musk himself, with workers noting that he sometimes played with a novelty flamethrower during visits and discouraged workers from wearing safety yellow because he dislikes bright colors. The article also highlights previous safety concerns in Musk's other initiatives, including environmental impacts and rushed animal experiments. SpaceX did not respond to Reuters' request for comment.