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Starbase injury rates outpace rivals as SpaceX chases its Mars moonshot
SpaceX's Starbase facility has reported injury rates almost six times higher than industry averages, highlighting safety concerns as the company accelerates its Mars mission. Workers at Starbase faced a total recordable incident rate of 4.27 injuries per 100 workers in 2024, despite a decrease from earlier years. These figures point to serious safety issues that need to be addressed as SpaceX pushes forward with ambitious space projects.
Key points
- Starbase injury rates are 6x higher than industry average, with a TRIR of 4.27.
- Injuries have caused a total of 3,558 restricted-duty days and 656 lost-time days.
- Safety metrics indicate high risk persists despite lower rates over past two years.
- NASA has a $4 billion contract with SpaceX, focusing on safety for lunar crewed missions.
Why it matters
- Increased focus on workplace safety amidst growing discussions in the tech and aerospace sectors.
- Manufacturing injury rates across the aerospace industry have dropped significantly since the 1990s.
- Concerns around safety at major aerospace manufacturers reflect broader employee welfare issues.
The alarming injury rates at SpaceX's Starbase underline significant safety challenges that must be urgently addressed as the company embarks on its ambitious missions, potentially impacting relationships with partners like NASA.