A Tesla robot has reportedly attacked and wounded one of the company's engineers in its Texas factory, the same place where the Cybertruck is being manufactured.
The incident, which occurred in 2021, was caused by a malfunctioning robot pinning and sinking its metal claws to the back and hand of the software engineer working on it, witnesses told The Information.
Reports indicate that the engineer was programming software that controls the robots designed for cutting aluminum car parts when one of the three malfunctioned after being left open.
The engineer suffered a "laceration, cut or open wound" on their left hand, according to an incident report Tesla submitted.
What's worrying, however, is this was not the first instance a similar incident occurred within the company's biggest car manufacturing facility.
Series of Incidents in Tesla Factory
Injury reports submitted to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration claimed that one out of every 21 workers at Tesla's headquarters got hurt last year.
The numbers are higher in its Fremont factory in California where one in 12 workers was injured in the previous year.
Both numbers are higher than the one out of every 30 workers median injury rate for the automotive industry last year.
Current and former employees agree that the injuries were caused by the company cutting corners on the construction, maintenance, and operations of its car models.
Sources said that management demands speedy production at the cost of workers being injured or being exposed to toxic chemicals during work time.
Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk have yet to provide any comments regarding the accident allegations.
Also Read: Former Tesla Employee Draws Doubt on Autopilot Car's Safety
Work Incidents Increases Amid Cost-Cutting Strategies
Tesla is not the only company that recorded increasing workplace incidents amidst its chief executives advocating for artificial intelligence in its workforce due to production inefficacies.
Many Amazon employees in the e-commerce giant's retail warehouses have reported getting physical injuries and mental stress on the job.
Working conditions in the company have worsened with the heightened speed and surveillance of the company's workplace.
Several employees have already filed complaints against Amazon with some taking it to the streets to protest against the poor working conditions.
Related Article: Amazon's Speed and Surveillance Ambitions Lead to Higher Injuries, Study Says
