Tesla fined $7K for federal violations at Texas Gigafactory

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Electric automaker Tesla was fined nearly $7,000 in federal violations at its Texas Gigafactory in Travis County.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fines come from two violations related to hazardous exposure to employees. Each fine totals $3,457 after informal settlements on Oct. 31.

The first violation related to not assessing employees for chromium exposure in the cybertruck body area of the facility in June. The second violation related to not providing training and information on hazardous chemicals in July.

The OSHA inspection began July 5 at the facility on Tesla Road. The case is still open, according to OSHA records. KXAN reached out to Tesla for a statement about these fines. This article will be updated if a response is received.

This is not the first federal inspection at the Texas Gigafactory. OSHA opened an investigation into a worker's death in August. That investigation is required to be completed in six months.

Another inspection opened in June 2021 and closed in September 2021. A third OSHA inspection opened in November 2022 and closed in December 2022. Neither inspection led to violations, according to OSHA data.

In November 2022, a group of workers filed two cases with the U.S. Labor Department about worker pay and training.