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Tesla has been cited for workplace safety violations following an investigation into the electrocution of a worker at its Austin, Texas, manufacturing plant.
The US Department of Labor confirmed that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found breaches of safety regulations but has not disclosed specific details or penalties imposed on the company.
The investigation was launched after Victor Gomez Sr., an electrician contracted to work at Tesla’s Gigafactory, was fatally electrocuted while inspecting an electrical panel in 2023. A wrongful death lawsuit filed by his family alleges negligence, stating the panel had been powered up despite expectations that it would be inactive.
The Labor Department closed the investigation in late January, issuing citations against Tesla. Calls for the agency to release the full report have been growing, with US Representative Greg Casar urging transparency in a letter sent this week. Casar, whose district includes the Tesla facility, warned that withholding findings could raise concerns over preferential treatment for the automaker.
Previous Tesla safety violations
The Austin plant, a sprawling 10-million-square-foot facility producing Tesla’s Model Y and Cybertruck, has faced prior scrutiny over worker safety. OSHA records reveal that Tesla was cited and fined approximately $7,000 for two chemical hazard violations at the Texas site last year.
Additionally, complaints in 2022 alleged that the company failed to address workplace safety and wage violations by subcontractors during the facility’s construction.
The fatality at the Texas plant adds to ongoing debates about Tesla’s regulatory oversight. CEO Elon Musk, a vocal supporter of government efficiency reforms under former President Donald Trump, has faced criticism for the treatment of employees at Tesla and his other companies.
Despite receiving billions in federal contracts and subsidies, Tesla has frequently been accused of labor rights violations and safety lapses.
Regulators watching Tesla
Musk and Tesla have not responded to requests for comment on the recent OSHA citations or the lawsuit related to Gomez’s death. Meanwhile, labor advocates continue to push for greater accountability in enforcing safety regulations at Tesla’s operations nationwide.
Tesla's safety record shows how abrupt changes and short cuts on compliancy can impact morale, engagement, retention and employer brand perception in an increasingly competitive labor market.
