An investigation conducted by Reuters unveiled more than 600 injuries suffered by SpaceX workers that had not been publicly disclosed. Employees who took part in the study said that the hazardous conditions in the workplace can be ascribed to Elon Musk's ambitious goals as he strives towards the mission to Mars. The research team collected information regarding workplace safety from sources that had not been previously tapped, including official documents and workers - current and former.
Employees of SpaceX have put their lives at risk in the attempt to pursue Elon Musk's mission to Mars, a Reuters probe exposed. Documents uncovered by Reuters for the first time showed how more than 600 workers were injured at SpaceX facilities since 2014 and the actual number of casualties may be significantly higher than that, as many of them remain unreported. The inquiry analyzed injury logs and records from the firm's six major sites and revealed numerous cases of cuts and lacerations, broken bones, crushed extremities, head trauma, along with other lesser known but dangerous workplace mishaps.
Many ex- and current employees of SpaceX claimed that Musk's ambition, driven by the idea of saving Earth from its fate, has pushed the pace of work beyond the reasonable limits. To increase work speed at any cost, the firm disregarded safety protocols and conducted rushed testing, which triggered some critical consequences, such as comas and death. This behavior is not an exception, but rather a part of the overall race in the space industry, where SpaceX currently holds the lead.
The rocket-maker and satellite internet provider is now valued at over $100 billion and is anticipated to go public in 2027. Nevertheless, the investment in space has declined in 2020 and the competition is stiffer than ever, amplifying the pressure to deliver new products faster and in an easier manner.
Read the full Reuters investigation here.
Comments