Federal regulators have cited Tesla for safety violations linked to a tragic incident at its Austin, Texas manufacturing plant. This follows the electrocution of Victor Gomez Sr., an electrician who was working there last summer.
The U.S. Department of Labor confirmed the citations, stating that the investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is now closed. However, the department did not reveal specific details about the safety failures or whether Tesla would face any penalties.
The investigation began right after Gomez’s death on August 1. He was reportedly inspecting electrical panels when the accident occurred. A lawsuit filed by his family claims that the panel was supposed to be turned off but was actually powered on, leading to his electrocution.
U.S. Representative Greg Casar, a Texas Democrat, has called on the Labor Department to release the full findings of the investigation. He expressed concerns that withholding this information could suggest that Tesla is receiving special treatment.
The Austin plant, which spans 10 million square feet, is a key site for producing Tesla’s Model Y vehicles and Cybertrucks. This isn’t Tesla’s first encounter with safety issues. Last year, the company was fined around $7,000 for two other violations related to chemical hazards. Additionally, there were complaints in 2022 about safety and wage law violations involving subcontractors during the plant’s construction.
As Tesla continues to grow under the leadership of Elon Musk, who has been involved in significant political discussions regarding government oversight, this incident raises important questions about workplace safety practices in the company and the broader implications for its operations.