Reuters Investigation Uncovers 600 Undisclosed Workplace Injuries at SpaceX
An extensive investigation by Reuters has revealed a startling number of undisclosed workplace injuries at SpaceX, shedding light on the unsafe conditions that employees are facing at the space exploration company. According to the report, over 600 previously undisclosed workplace injuries have been documented at SpaceX facilities since 2014, with the actual number likely higher due to unreported incidents.
The investigation gathered workplace safety data through previously unreported injury logs, public records, and interviews with current and former employees. Among the injuries documented, over 100 workers experienced cuts or lacerations, 29 broke or dislocated bones, 17 had their hands and fingers crushed, and nine sustained serious head injuries.
Workers cited in the investigation attribute the unsafe workplace environment to CEO Elon Musk’s aggressive work expectations in pursuit of the Mars mission. Musk’s accelerated work deadlines and demanding pace have put immense pressure on employees, leading to long hours and fast-paced work. This has created an environment where senior SpaceX managers have skirted safety protocols and product testing, leading to severe injuries, including comas and, in some cases, death.
The report comes at a time when SpaceX has experienced rapid growth, currently being valued at over $100 billion and operating as a top player in the space industry. However, as competition in the industry grows fiercer and investment in space has shrunk, companies like SpaceX have been under increasing pressure to innovate. This has led to heightened demands on employees and, as the investigation shows, a decline in workplace safety.
The full Reuters investigation can be read here. The revelations from this report raise serious concerns about workplace safety at SpaceX and the toll that Musk’s aggressive work expectations are taking on the company’s employees.