OSHA Cites SpaceX for Safety Violations After Crane Collapse at Starbase
In June 2025, a hydraulic crane collapsed at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas, prompting an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The agency determined that SpaceX failed to properly inspect the crane following recent repairs, leading to the incident. Consequently, OSHA issued seven serious violations against the company, resulting in fines totaling $115,850.
The crane collapse occurred on June 24, 2025, during cleanup operations after a Starship explosion four days earlier. Employees were using the crane to lift debris when it buckled under the weight of a large piece of the exploded Starship. Footage captured by LabPadre, a livestreaming service of the Starbase site, documented the incident.
OSHA’s investigation revealed that the Grove RT9150E crane had undergone repairs but was returned to service without ensuring the repairs met the manufacturer’s criteria through an inspection by a qualified person. Additionally, the agency found that SpaceX did not perform or document monthly inspections on the crane and had not conducted an annual inspection within the last 12 months. The wire rope used for lifting debris also lacked monthly inspections, and rigging equipment was missing manufacturer-prescribed markings indicating safe working loads.
This incident is part of a series of safety concerns at the Starbase facility. In December 2025, an employee of a SpaceX subcontractor filed a lawsuit after being crushed by a large metal support dropped from a crane. OSHA is investigating that accident as well. Furthermore, a 2023 Reuters report uncovered numerous previously unreported injuries and one employee death at the facility over the past decade.
Data analysis indicates that Starbase has a higher injury rate compared to other SpaceX facilities and industry peers. In 2024, the Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) at Starbase was 4.27 injuries per 100 workers, exceeding the aerospace manufacturing industry’s average of 1.6. This suggests significant safety issues that need to be addressed.
As SpaceX plans to increase activity at Starbase, including up to 25 Starship launches in Texas this year, ensuring worker safety becomes increasingly critical. The company is also expanding the launch complex to meet ambitious goals of building thousands of Starship rockets annually.
OSHA’s probe into the crane collapse remains open, and it is unclear whether any workers were harmed in the accident. SpaceX has the option to contest the penalties but has not immediately responded to requests for comment.
