SpaceX didn’t properly inspect crane before collapse at Starbase, OSHA says

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has reported that SpaceX failed to adequately inspect a hydraulic crane that recently underwent repairs prior to its collapse at the company's Starbase facility in Texas last June. This oversight has resulted in the agency issuing seven serious violations against the aerospace company, which emerged from an investigation initiated just one day after the incident. Six of these violations carried the maximum financial penalties allowable by OSHA, leading to a total fine of $115,850 for SpaceX. As of now, OSHA's investigation remains ongoing, and it's still unknown if any employees were injured during the crane collapse. SpaceX has the right to contest these penalties; however, the company has not responded to requests for comments regarding the situation. This enforcement action comes at a time when SpaceX is gearing up for increased operations at the Starbase site, driven in part by the goal to return astronauts to the Moon. The company has received clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for up to 25 Starship launches in Texas this year, while also expanding its launch complex to support ambitious production goals of thousands of Starship rockets annually. Historically, SpaceX has faced numerous safety issues at the South Texas launch complex, with a 2023 report revealing many previously unreported injuries and one fatality over the past decade. An analysis conducted by TechCrunch indicated that the injury rate at Starbase significantly exceeds that of other SpaceX facilities and its industry counterparts. The frequency of accidents continues to raise concerns; in December, a lawsuit was filed by a subcontractor claiming he was injured after being struck by a heavy metal support dropped from a crane, which is also under OSHA investigation. The crane incident in question occurred on June 24, 2025, shortly after SpaceX employees were clearing debris from a recent Starship explosion. Footage from LabPadre showcased the crane buckling under a heavy piece of debris. According to OSHA’s citations, one employee operated a Grove RT9150E crane to lift debris while another inspected it with an excavator. Despite recent repairs, the crane was returned to service without a qualified person ensuring the repairs met manufacturer specifications. Further citations revealed that the crane had a history of issues, including a computer that would fail to start after multiple attempts. OSHA alleges that SpaceX did not conduct or document required monthly inspections of the crane and its wire rope, and that rigging equipment on site lacked necessary safety markings. Additionally, an employee was found operating another crane with an expired certification, highlighting ongoing concerns over safety practices at the Starbase facility.