US Labor Department accuses Amazon of failing to keep warehouse workers safe

Key Facts

The Department of Labor said Wednesday that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Amazon and issued hazard letters related to injury risks from workers lifting packages after inspecting three warehouse facilities in Deltona, Florida; Waukegan, Illinois; and New Windsor, New York.
The DOL said that OSHA investigators found Amazon warehouse workers to be at higher risk for lower back injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders related to the high frequency with which its workers are required to lift packages, the weight of these items, awkward postures required while lifting, and the long hours required to complete assigned tasks.
“We’ve cooperated fully, and the government’s allegations don’t reflect the reality of safety at our sites,” Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, told CNN in a statement Wednesday.
The company said it has taken a number of steps to reduce the risk of injuries, including by introducing stretching groups, reminding workers to take breaks and rotating jobs.