Tesla, the renowned electric car maker, recently found itself in hot water as it was fined for violating California’s workplace heat protection regulations at its Fremont plant. While the $13,500 penalty may seem insignificant for a company with a market capitalization exceeding $1 trillion, state regulators deemed the violation as “serious,” highlighting the potential risks of injury, illness, or even death.
The citation issued by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) in December pointed out Tesla’s failure to provide adequate cooldown breaks in shaded areas for employees working outdoors. These breaks are crucial in preventing overheating and heat-related illnesses, as mandated by California’s heat safety rules. Employees are supposed to be allowed and encouraged to take these cooldown rests in the shade whenever necessary, with supervision from a designated supervisor to monitor for any signs of heat illness before returning to work.
Despite the findings, Tesla has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding the violation. This incident adds to the existing tension between Tesla’s co-founder and Chief Executive, Elon Musk, and the state of California. Musk has previously criticized California for what he perceives as excessive regulation, litigation, and taxation. This latest regulatory scrutiny comes at a time when Musk is actively advocating for reduced government intervention on behalf of the Trump administration.
Previous Safety Concerns
This recent fine is not the first time Tesla has faced issues with workplace safety at the Fremont plant. In 2018, a report by The Center for Investigative Reporting revealed that Tesla had failed to report certain serious workplace injuries, leading to skewed injury statistics. While Tesla disputed these claims, Cal/OSHA cited the company the following year for omitting hundreds of injuries from annual summary data submitted to regulators.
Moreover, Tesla’s efforts to expedite production by constructing an open-air facility outside its main Fremont vehicle plant resulted in additional safety violations. In 2019, Cal/OSHA fined Tesla for failing to obtain the necessary permits, inadequate protection for workers from exposed hazards like metal rods and rebar, and insufficient training to prevent heat-related illnesses among employees.
Challenges During the Pandemic
The tumultuous relationship between Tesla and workplace safety regulations continued during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Musk defied a countywide stay-at-home order to restart production at the Fremont plant, leading to hundreds of reported infections among employees. Eventually, Tesla reached an agreement with Alameda County to resume operations under specific safety protocols.
In a more recent incident in 2023, Cal/OSHA cited Tesla for four safety violations after an employee at the Fremont plant was seriously injured while performing quality inspections on a Model Y. The worker became trapped in the car due to a failure to cut power to the conveyor belt, highlighting lapses in safety protocols and procedures within the manufacturing process.
It is evident that Tesla’s struggles with workplace safety regulations have been a recurring theme at the Fremont plant. As the electric car maker continues to push boundaries in innovation and production, addressing these safety concerns and ensuring the well-being of its employees must remain a top priority to uphold its reputation and responsibility as a leading industry player. Tesla’s journey towards sustainable growth and success will undoubtedly be shaped by how effectively it navigates these challenges and prioritizes the safety and welfare of its workforce.
