Working in auto manufacturing plants appear to be extremely hazardous. That is if one looks at the many investigations launched into worker safety at the Fremont factory of Tesla Inc. According to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, the electric vehicle maker’s Fremont plant is currently the subject of six ongoing investigations. Employees in this facility will likely find comfort in knowing that they are covered by the workers’ compensation program of the state.
Reportedly, Cal/OSHA launched an investigation on Sept. 4 into a workplace accident in which a garbage bin was pushed by a forklift, wedging a worker between that bin and another one. On the following day, a second probe started to look into the circumstances of an incident in which the fingers of an employee became trapped in a power-bolting tool. The severity of these injuries is not known.
The safety agency says similar investigations were initiated in April and July. Some followed employee complaints about the lack of safety protocols, while others involved injuries that were not reported within the required time. Although not all investigations find fault, nor do they necessarily result in penalties, the prevalence of incidents that lead to probes must indeed concern employees at this facility.
Employees cannot work to their full potential if they feel threatened by the lack of safety compliance. Fortunately, victims of work-related injuries can file benefits claims with the workers’ compensation insurance program. An experienced California workers’ compensation attorney can help with the navigation of the complicated claims process to obtain benefits that will cover medical expenses and lost wages.