SpaceX, the world’s rocket launch leader, is coming under increasing criticism for its workplace practices. A recent security review by Reuters shows a troubling trend at the aerospace company. For the second year in a row, SpaceX’s injury rates are well above the industry average. This is according to a Reuters review of 2023 safety data which the company has filed with US regulatory authorities, particularly the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Discouragingly, SpaceX’s injury rate has worsened compared to last year.
An earlier Reuters investigation found that about 600 reported injuries in 2022 included crushed limbs, cuts, burns, eye injuries, electrocutions, amputations and serious head injuries, according to the news agency, which noted that data from previous years is either incomplete or non-existent.
Related article: SpaceX Employees Suffer Broken Bones and Head Injuries Due to Company’s Disregard for Safety, Report Claim
The situation doesn’t seem to be improving. In 2023, for example, the SpaceX facility in Brownsville, Texas, reported an injury rate of 5.9 per 100 workers, a notable increase from 4.8 in 2022. In comparison, the industry average remains at 0.8 injuries per, according to the numbers 100 workers significantly lower provided by Reuters.
The company’s missile rescue teams appear to be bearing the brunt: Workers on the Pacific Coast are suffering an injury rate of 7.6 per 100 workers – more than nine times the industry average. The Atlantic team fared slightly better, suffering 3.5 injuries per 100 workers.
SpaceX is currently the only company engaged in the recovery of incoming drone launchers. Accordingly, the teams have to deal with unique and sometimes extreme challenges. But that’s no excuse for such breaches to occur, and it’s a possible sign of the company firing too many missiles too quickly – or a corporate culture that doesn’t value safety.
SpaceX did not immediately respond to our request for comment about these latest figures and what, if any, the company is doing to reduce injury rates.
Experts argue that the high injury rates point to deeper systemic problems. David Michaels, a professor at George Washington University, pointed out to Reuters that such high injury rates could indicate poor production quality, which is a major problem for commercial partners and NASA, which is making billions of dollars in deals with SpaceX.
SpaceX has consistently denied claims that it is neglecting the safety of its employees. In a March tweet, COO Gwynne Shotwell said wrote: “The safety of astronauts and personnel is SpaceX’s top priority, which is why I had to personally test the new slide,” referring to a new emergency slide installed in a crew tower in Florida. She ended her tweet with a winking emoji.
Safety isn’t the only issue at SpaceX; The company was also accused of this Discrimination in hiring And Women and minorities pay less than their white male counterparts. At least for now, SpaceX is NASA’s top commercial partner and a cornerstone of the U.S. space sector. This makes it all the more important that the company resolves these ongoing workplace problems.
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