Elon Musk’s SpaceX was fined $3,600 by U.S. worker safety officials this month following an accident at its Washington state facility, which resulted in a “near amputation” event, as per inspection records reviewed by Reuters. This incident adds to a series of concerns regarding the rocket company’s adherence to worker-safety regulations across its nationwide operations. A Reuters investigation previously uncovered at least 600 unreported injuries among SpaceX employees since 2014, raising questions about the company’s safety culture and practices.

The fine was imposed after inspectors from Washington state’s Department of Labor and Industries identified safety violations at SpaceX’s Redmond site, prompted by worker complaints. The inspection revealed a lack of a comprehensive safety program, insufficient communication regarding work rules, and a failure to address violations effectively. The specific “near amputation” incident involved a roll of material falling and crushing a worker’s foot, attributed to inadequate safety measures.

Despite claims from SpaceX managers that the incident was isolated and the problem resolved, inspectors noted that employees were not mandated to wear steel-toe shoes, even as the weight of materials handled increased significantly. This oversight was flagged as a serious violation due to the heightened risk of injury.

Employee testimonies further illustrated a culture where production goals overshadow safety concerns, with one worker alleging that equipment was deliberately set up incorrectly to speed up production, compromising safety. Concerns were also raised about the competency of safety officials at the Redmond site to implement effective safety plans.

Another incident involving an employee’s hospitalization for a broken ankle during a fire alarm was noted, though SpaceX was not fined for this occurrence as it was deemed unforeseeable.

The recent fine is part of a broader pattern of safety regulation challenges faced by SpaceX, with the company accumulating $50,836 in fines for various violations over the last decade. These incidents underscore the broader issue of worker safety regulation enforcement, where legal limitations on fines and a shortage of inspectors diminish the impact on large corporations.

NASA, which has contracted SpaceX for over $11.8 billion in services, has remained silent on these safety issues. The space agency has previously stated it requires SpaceX to maintain a robust safety program and culture but has not commented on specific incidents or the recent lawsuit filed by the wife of an injured worker.