Incident on SpaceX Site
A worker died on SpaceX's Starbase site in Texas, just days before the planned launch of the Starship rocket. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has begun an investigation into the incident.
Investigation Details
OSHA has declined to release further information pending the completion of the investigation, which may take several months. According to OSHA, SpaceX has previously faced safety concerns at its Starbase site, where prototype Starship launches are conducted.
Safety Concerns at Starbase
The injury rate at the site significantly exceeds that of competitors, making it the most hazardous of SpaceX's work sites. A 2023 Reuters investigation revealed dozens of previously unreported injuries and a worker fatality in 2014 at a SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas.
Previous Safety Violations
In January, OSHA issued SpaceX seven 'serious' safety citations, including inadequate crane inspection before it collapsed at Starbase last June. The agency imposed the maximum fine of $115,850 for six of the seven violations, which SpaceX has contested.
Lawsuits and Concerns
The company has faced multiple lawsuits related to injuries sustained at Starbase in recent years. In December, a subcontractor employee filed a lawsuit after being crushed by a falling metal object.