Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian is under scrutiny following an alarming number of workplace injuries and safety violations at its Normal, Illinois factory.According to a report by Bloomberg, the company received initial citations for 16 serious violations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) over a 21-month period, more than any other automaker in the U.S. during the same time. These violations include injuries ranging from amputated fingers to cracked skulls, raising questions about the company’s safety protocols.Worker safety concerns mountThe reported injuries at Rivian’s Illinois factory are severe, with employees having suffered an array of injuries, including fractured bones and serious lacerations. From January 2023 to October 2024, Rivian received more initial serious citations than any of its peers, despite having just one plant and producing less vehicles than most other manufacturers.
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One case involved a worker who was denied a respirator in the paint booth at the Rivian factory, leading to a condition where she vomited bile reportedly the color of Rivian’s signature blue paint. While Rivian claims it provides all necessary safety equipment, the frequency and nature of these injuries suggest that not enough is being done to protect its workers.OSHA and Rivian’s responseDespite these citations, Rivian stated that safety conditions at its factory are better than the industry average for light truck manufacturers. In a statement, the company emphasized that initial citations should not be confused with final citations, as OSHA often downgrades the severity of infractions after settlements. However, OSHA experts argue that the initial citations typically reflect the most accurate picture of workplace hazards. From Bloomberg: Former OSHA leaders, however, say initial citations — which are issued after the agency has investigated a job site and considered the company’s perspective — reveal more about workplace hazards. OSHA agrees to downgrade citations because its priority is for companies to address hazards, whereas litigating a dispute for years could leave them unresolved, according to former OSHA head David Michaels.Related: Stellantis brings solid state tech to 670 horsepower Dodge Charger EVCould unionization efforts improve conditions?The safety issues at Rivian have reignited efforts by the United Auto Workers (UAW) to unionize the plant, which the UAW has been working to do for years. Unionization could provide workers with a stronger voice in advocating for safer working conditions and more robust safety protocols.“Rivian sells itself as a cutting-edge car company, but they’re dragging workers back to the 19th century,” said UAW President Shawn Fain in a statement to Bloomberg.Final thoughtsAs Rivian continues to grow and scale its production, addressing these safety concerns will be crucial.OSHA said that since it began inspecting the site in 2021, Rivian has improved its safety and health team and has been “very cooperative” with the safety organization’s process. Still, for Rivian to maintain its reputation and ensure long-term success, it must prioritize worker safety moving forward and address the underlying issues that led to these OSHA violations.Related: 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport buyer’s guide, and specs
