Injuries at SpaceX Far Exceed Industry Average: Fractures, Burns, Electrocutions Reported
SpaceX, the aerospace manufacturer led by Elon Musk, is experiencing a significantly high number of workplace injuries, with an average of 7.6 out of every 100 employees sustaining injuries in one of its divisions in 2023.
As SpaceX rockets continue to break records, the company's workplace safety standards are not keeping pace, according to an analysis by Reuters. For the second consecutive year, the injury rate at SpaceX has substantially exceeded the industry average.
Data submitted to U.S. regulatory agencies, which Reuters analyzed, reveal a concerning trend. In 2022, the range of reported injuries included limb fractures, cuts, burns, eye damage, electrocutions, amputations, and severe head injuries.
The situation showed no signs of improvement in 2023. At the facility located in Brownsville, Texas, an average of 5.9 out of every 100 employees suffered some form of injury, up from an average of 4.8 in 2022. To put this in perspective, the industry average for such injuries is just 0.8 per 100 employees, according to Reuters.
The company’s rocket recovery teams reported the worst injury rate, with an average of 7.6 out of every 100 workers. These teams are responsible for collecting reusable Falcon rockets as they land on floating platforms – a task that, while challenging, does not absolve SpaceX from its responsibility to ensure employee safety.
Gizmodo has reached out to SpaceX with questions about what steps the company is taking to improve these figures. As of now, they have not received a response.
Data submitted to U.S. regulatory agencies, which Reuters analyzed, reveal a concerning trend. In 2022, the range of reported injuries included limb fractures, cuts, burns, eye damage, electrocutions, amputations, and severe head injuries.
The situation showed no signs of improvement in 2023. At the facility located in Brownsville, Texas, an average of 5.9 out of every 100 employees suffered some form of injury, up from an average of 4.8 in 2022. To put this in perspective, the industry average for such injuries is just 0.8 per 100 employees, according to Reuters.
The company’s rocket recovery teams reported the worst injury rate, with an average of 7.6 out of every 100 workers. These teams are responsible for collecting reusable Falcon rockets as they land on floating platforms – a task that, while challenging, does not absolve SpaceX from its responsibility to ensure employee safety.
Gizmodo has reached out to SpaceX with questions about what steps the company is taking to improve these figures. As of now, they have not received a response.
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