Tesla’s Gigafactory in Texas, located in Travis County, has recently been slapped with a fine of nearly $7,000 for federal violations. The fines were issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) due to two violations concerning the hazardous exposure of employees. Following informal settlements on Oct. 31, each fine amounts to $3,457.
The first violation was regarding the failure to assess employees for chromium exposure in the cybertruck body area of the facility back in June. The second violation was related to the absence of training and information on hazardous chemicals in July. The OSHA inspection commenced on July 5 at the Tesla Road facility, with the case still remaining open as per OSHA records. KXAN has reached out to Tesla for a response regarding these fines, and any updates will be included in this article.
This is not the first time the Texas Gigafactory has undergone federal inspection. OSHA initiated an investigation into a worker’s death in August, with the investigation expected to conclude within six months. Two other inspections took place in June 2021, closing in September 2021, and November 2022, concluding in December 2022. Fortunately, neither of these inspections resulted in violations according to OSHA data.
In November 2022, a group of workers raised concerns by filing two cases with the U.S. Labor Department regarding worker pay and training. This indicates a broader issue that may require further investigation and resolution to ensure the safety and well-being of all employees at the Tesla Gigafactory. Tesla’s commitment to addressing these concerns and complying with federal regulations moving forward will be crucial in maintaining a safe work environment for its employees.
