Tesla receives 54 OSHA violations from 2014 to 2018

On Behalf of | Mar 12, 2019 | Workers' Compensation

New Jersey residents who keep up with Tesla’s developments in vehicle technology should know that the automaker surpassed all its competitors in the number of OSHA violations it has received. Between 2014 and 2018, its Fremont-based production facility was issued 54 violations. This is three times more than the top 10 auto plants combined and accounts for 75 percent of all their violations.

In comparison, Nissan came in second with only five violations in those five years. Toyota and Ford were third with four OSHA violations. At the same time, Tesla ranks seventh when it comes to estimated production capacity with 364,000 vehicles produced each year. It also has half the industry average of reportable incidents.

Of the top 10 auto plants, Tesla employs the most people with 15,000 individuals and contractors. BMW comes in second with around 11,000. Yet BMW, along with Subaru, Honda, Hyundai and General Motors, saw zero violations between 2014 and 2018.

Twenty-two of the 54 violations arose from nine accidents, 18 from seven complaints and eight from four incidents unconnected to a complaint. Around 18 violations, 12 listed on OSHA’s database and six that were unlisted, were issued in 2018 alone. Twenty-seven additional violations were issued to locations across the U.S. that are owned by either Tesla or Tesla Energy.

When employers are negligent in adhering to OSHA standards, and workers are injured as a result, the latter may be able to file for workers’ compensation benefits. These can be paid out to those who suffer in an accident or from an occupational disease that develops over time. Workers’ comp generally covers medical expenses and short- or long-term disability leave if applicable. A percentage of a person’s lost income may be covered as well. However, those who are considering filing may want a lawyer by their side since claims can be denied.