Tesla has set extremely ambitious production goals for its electric vehicles, and the company is under increasing pressure to meet them. This pressure has been transferred to workers at one of its factories. The situation developing at Tesla is a reminder to employees and employers in Ohio that ambitious business goals don’t negate the need for proper workplace safety and support.
Employees working very long hours in a rigorous and often physically demanding environment at the Tesla plant have been reported passing out on the factory floor, and many required emergency medical services. Reports indicate that over 100 ambulance calls have been made to the California factory since 2014.
Tesla management and its CEO have responded to the concerns from both workers and the general public, ensuring their dedication to the health of workers. They report that the factory’s safety rating has improved over the last year and that the company as a whole has a better than average safety rating for the industry. To some, these assurances are not enough, and a portion of Tesla’s workforce has attempted to unionize in order to combat the increasingly stressful working conditions. Some workers seem to be struggling to balance the increased demands of their work environment with their general pride in their job and belief in Tesla’s mission as a company.
Industrial work settings remain among the most dangerous jobs in the United States. Even when employers rigorously follow safety protocols, workplace injuries will happen. People who have been harmed in such an accident may want to meet with an attorney to learn how to seek appropriate workers’ compensation benefits.