Rivian disputes Bloomberg’s scathing safety report

Rivian adamantly denies the alarming safety allegations detailed in a report by Bloomberg, which claims that the automaker’s factory in Normal, IL, is a hotbed for serious work safety issues.

Driving the news: In a statement to Electrek, Rivian cited several issues with the report, calling it misleading.

• “It’s incredibly disappointing to see how Bloomberg has misrepresented the facts in this story.” 

• “Since January 2023, Rivian has received two serious OSHA citations. Initial citations should not be confused as final citations, and to suggest otherwise is incredibly misleading.”

The crux of Bloomberg’s allegations is partly centered on first-hand accounts from Rivian workers who claimed to have suffered cracked skulls and vomiting “Rivian” blue-colored bile after painting R1 without the proper safety gear.

Depth of the problem: Rivian has received initial citations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for 16 “serious” violations over the past 21 months – substantially more than most automakers received over the same period.

• Toyota, Honda, Volvo, Nissan, GM, and Ford each received no more than 10 of the violations.

• Volkswagen and Subaru have received no violations in the past 21 months.

• Tesla and Stellantis received fewer initial violations but did receive two, three, and two repeat violations, respectively. 

Mixed messages: The conflicting dynamics of the Bloomberg report go well beyond Rivian’s response. 

• Amid the safety violations, OSHA has said that since the organization started inspecting Rivian in 2021, the company has improved its safety and health team. 

• Yet – OSHA tends to downgrade initial violations quickly, rather than dragging out the litigation process, to get companies to move swiftly to improve safety issues.

Final note: Rivian’s swift and pointed response to the report is understandable, as worker safety has become a highly scrutinized issue across industries, not just in automotive. Ignoring these concerns could carry significant risks, particularly for a young EV brand still establishing its foothold in the market.  

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