OSHA finds Amazon exposed workers to unsafe conditions
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OSHA has cited an additional three Amazon warehouses for workplace safety violations. The warehouses in were cited for failing to keep workers safe and delivered hazard alert letters for exposing workers to ergonomic hazards.
OSHA cited the company for not providing safe workplaces in violation of the OSH Act's general duty clause. The inspections follow referrals from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York that led the agency to open inspections and find similar violations at other Amazon warehouse facilities in Florida, Illinois and New York in July 2022. OSHA later opened inspections in Aurora, Nampa and Castleton.
At all six locations, OSHA investigators found Amazon exposed warehouse workers to a high risk of low back injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders. The risks they faced are related to the following:
- High frequency with which employees must lift packages and other items.
- Heavy weight of the items handled by workers.
- Employees awkwardly twisting, bending and extending themselves to lift items.
- Long hours required to complete assigned tasks.
OSHA reviewed onsite injury logs required by federal law and discovered that Amazon warehouse workers experienced high rates of musculoskeletal disorders.
OSHA proposed $46,875 in penalties for the violations at the Aurora, Nampa and Castleton facilities.
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.
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