cross-posted from: https://feddit.org/post/2688916

Reuters documented at least 600 previously unreported workplace injuries at Musk’s rocket company: crushed limbs, amputations, electrocutions, head and eye wounds and one death. SpaceX employees say they’re paying the price for the billionaire’s push to colonize space at breakneck speed.

Through interviews and government records, Reuters documented at least 600 injuries of SpaceX workers since 2014. Many were serious or disabling. The records included reports of more than 100 workers suffering cuts or lacerations, 29 with broken bones or dislocations, 17 whose hands or fingers were “crushed,” and nine with head injuries, including one skull fracture, four concussions and one traumatic brain injury. The cases also included five burns, five electrocutions, eight accidents that led to amputations, 12 injuries involving multiple unspecified body parts, and seven workers with eye injuries.

SpaceX, founded by Musk more than two decades ago, takes the stance that workers are responsible for protecting themselves, according to more than a dozen current and former employees, including a former senior executive.

Musk himself at times appeared cavalier about safety on visits to SpaceX sites: Four employees said he sometimes played with a novelty flamethrower and discouraged workers from wearing safety yellow because he dislikes bright colors.

  • lunar17@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    From the linked article:

    The 2022 injury rate at the company’s manufacturing-and-launch facility near Brownsville, Texas, was 4.8 injuries or illnesses per 100 workers – six times higher than the space-industry average of 0.8.

    No mention of other industries, but a quick search shows that the injury rate is 2.4 in construction and 3.2 in manufacturing. However, it’s important to note that all industries underreport injuries, especially SpaceX, as OP’s article discusses.

    Also, I think it’s interesting to note that Texas, where SpaceX are moving most of their operations, has the most worker deaths of any state.

    • SapphironZA@sh.itjust.works
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      2 months ago

      Thx for the info. I think SpaceX has a bigger construction/manufacturing operation compares to other launch providers who tend to oursource most of that work.

      Pretty dire numbers as a significant portion are not high risk jobs.