Eating More Victims, SpaceX's Starbase Investigated By US Work Safety Agency

Starbase view (photo: X @SpaceX)

JAKARTA - The US Job Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) investigated the accident that occurred in Starbase, a facility owned by SpaceX. The incident was experienced by construction workers on November 15.

According to a TechCrunch report, the worker is named Eduardo Cavazos. He suffered a serious injury after being hit by a large metal buffer from a crane. After the incident occurred, Cavazos sued SpaceX and one of its contractors.

In the lawsuit, Cavazos suspected negligence in causing the accident. According to lawyer Cavazos, one of the long metal buffers from vertical staking fell off and hit the victim who was building a concrete wall.

The lawyer also stated that the crane operator was seen using a cell phone around the time of the accident. The operator's negligence in lowering the sliding caused the 1,200-pound buffer to hit Cavazos.

Cavazos' injuries were severe. The worker is known to have suffered a hip fracture, knee, and dry bone. He also suffered other injuries to his neck, head, shoulders, back, and legs which are predicted to require long-term care.

SpaceX has reported this incident to OSHA and the agency opened an 'fast response investigation'. Currently, OSHA is still waiting for SpaceX's response to further information requests before deciding to conduct site inspections.

This is the second crane-related accident OSHA has investigated in the past year in Starbase. Previously, the agency had opened an investigation into the collapse of a crane at the Starbase site at the end of June.

Data available to the public shows that Starbase locations are more dangerous than other SpaceX facilities. The Starbase Recorded Incident Rate (TRIR) in 2024 shows an injury rate of around 4.27 out of 100 workers.

This finding is far above the average US space industry of only 1.6. In June 2024, OSHA also fined SpaceX $ 7,000 (Rp116 million) for not reporting any serious injuries in Starbase which fall into the mandatory reporting category.