OSHA investigating new crane accident at SpaceX’s Starbase facility

In a troubling incident at SpaceX's Starbase, a construction worker was seriously injured when a large metal support fell from a crane. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is now conducting an investigation into the accident, which occurred in November. The injured worker, Eduardo Cavazos, has since filed a lawsuit against SpaceX and one of its contractors, alleging negligence in connection with the incident. According to reports, Cavazos was working as a subcontractor for CCC Group, tasked with constructing concrete walls at the Starbase facility. On the day of the incident, a crane operator was lifting a vertical formwork meant to hold wet concrete. Cavazos's lawsuit claims that one of the metal supports detached, striking him and resulting in severe injuries including a broken hip, knee, and tibia, along with trauma to his neck, head, shoulders, back, and legs. Cavazos's legal representatives assert that he is likely to require ongoing medical treatments such as physical therapy, pain management, and possibly surgery due to the extent of his injuries. The lawsuit seeks damages and holds both SpaceX and CCC Group accountable for their alleged failure to ensure the safety of the equipment and to adequately warn workers about potential hazards. This incident marks the second crane-related accident at the Starbase facility this year that has drawn OSHA’s scrutiny. Earlier in June, another crane collapsed at the site, although details regarding injuries from that event remain unclear. Both incidents highlight ongoing safety concerns at the rapidly expanding launch facility, where CEO Elon Musk is ambitiously pushing forward with the development of rockets intended for missions to the Moon and Mars. The safety record at Starbase has raised alarms, with a recent analysis indicating a significantly higher Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) compared to other SpaceX facilities and industry standards. In 2024, Starbase reported approximately 4.27 injuries per 100 workers, compared to 2.48 at the McGregor testing facility and 1.43 at the Hawthorne site, with the aerospace manufacturing industry average being 1.6. Further complicating matters, SpaceX has faced penalties for not reporting serious injuries promptly, including a $7,000 fine related to an unreported incident that occurred at Starbase. As the company continues to expand its operations, including the construction of a massive new rocket factory at the site, the pressure to maintain safety standards remains critical amidst ambitious goals for future space exploration.