The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration reported that Tesla committed five safety-related violations following a severe injury to an employee. This incident occurred earlier this year when the worker became trapped inside a “Model Y” car at Tesla’s Fremont factory in California.
According to Bloomberg News Agency, the electric car manufacturer failed to ensure the power was disconnected from a conveyor belt during a quality inspection by employees. In April, an employee was trapped in a car after its open door struck a fixed vertical gate at the Fremont Tesla factory. Consequently, California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed fining Tesla $18,000 for this serious violation.
Tesla has faced various fines and complaints over the years for different violations at its facilities. One significant fine was imposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which penalized Tesla $275,000 for air pollution violations at its assembly plant in Fremont, California. This fine was related to “high priority violations” of air pollution regulations at the plant, particularly concerning the use of toxic chemicals in its paint shop. The EPA’s action reflects its commitment to enforcing compliance with federal clean air laws. Tesla’s Fremont plant had previously faced other fines, including a $31,000 penalty in 2019 for hazardous waste violations and a requirement to pay $55,000 to the Fremont Fire Department for emergency response equipment. Additionally, the plant has been the subject of multiple fires, particularly in the paint shop area.
Despite challenges in production and some public controversies, such as issues related to the Model S, Tesla has managed to establish itself as a leader in the electric vehicle market. Its mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy is reflected in its production of electric vehicles, solar energy products, and energy storage solutions. The company operates large, vertically integrated factories across three continents, with over 100,000 employees dedicated to designing, building, selling, and servicing their products.
