OSHA cites Amazon for failing to keep its employees safe
The U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Amazon for failing to keep workers safe.
The Dept. of Labor said it has issued hazard alert letters after inspections at three warehouse facilities – in Deltona, Florida; Waukegan, Illinois; and New Windsor, New York – after finding workers exposed to ergonomic hazards.
“Each of these inspections found work processes that were designed for speed but not safety, and they resulted in serious worker injuries,” said Doug Parker, assistant secretary for occupational safety and health.
Amazon faces a total of $60,269 in proposed penalties for these violations, said OSHA.
“Investigators found Amazon warehouse workers at high risk for lower back injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders,” said OSHA, “related to the high frequency with which workers are required to lift packages and other items; the heavy weight of the items; awkward postures, such as twisting, bending and long reaches while lifting; and long hours required to complete assigned tasks.”
OSHA said it also reviewed on-site injury logs required by OSHA and discovered that Amazon warehouse workers experienced high rates of musculoskeletal disorders.
In one example from a letter OSHA sent to the Amazon location in Waukegan, Ill., it wrote: “Employees are experiencing and have experienced struck-by injuries to various parts of the body related to the loss of control of packages, during the manual handling (TPS or Team Lift) of objects weighing greater than 50 pounds.”
In December 2022, OSHA said it cited Amazon for 14 recordkeeping violations as part of the same investigation.
“While Amazon has developed impressive systems to make sure its customers’ orders are shipped efficiently and quickly, the company has failed to show the same level of commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of its workers,” said Parker.
Amazon has 15 business days from receipt of the current citations and proposed penalty to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
“Our hope is that the findings of our investigations inspire Amazon and other warehouses to make the safety and health of their workers a core value,” said Parker.
