A worker at SpaceX’s Starbase launch site in South Texas died on Friday, prompting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to launch an investigation. According to OSHA and local authorities, the incident occurred at approximately 4:17 a.m. on May 15. The Wall Street Journal confirmed the death with the county sheriff, and OSHA is currently investigating the incident. Neither the Brownsville police and fire departments nor SpaceX officials have provided comments on the situation. The details surrounding the worker’s death remain unclear, and OSHA has stated it will withhold further information until the investigation concludes, which may take several months.
This incident comes just before the planned launch of SpaceX’s improved Starship rocket and the release of its IPO prospectus. SpaceX has faced ongoing worker safety challenges at Starbase, which is a construction site and location for Starship prototype launches. In 2025, TechCrunch reported that injury rates at Starbase were significantly higher than industry counterparts, making it SpaceX’s most hazardous site. A 2023 investigation by Reuters also revealed multiple unreported injuries and a worker fatality in 2014 at its McGregor, Texas site.
In January, OSHA cited SpaceX for seven serious safety violations concerning a crane collapse at Starbase the previous June, issuing penalties totaling $115,850, which SpaceX is disputing. The company has faced lawsuits over recent injuries at Starbase. In December, subcontractor employee Eduardo Cavazos sued after a large metal support dropped from a crane broke his hip, knee, and tibia. OSHA conducted a rapid response investigation, which has since been closed without penalties, and the lawsuit was dismissed due to the subcontractor’s workers compensation insurance.