Technology and productivity driving pressure on workers
of ConsumerAffairsA new report suggests that safety agencies needto do more to address ergonomic hazards in warehouses and delivery companies, where worker injuries are rising.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed safety in e-commerce warehouses like Amazon and last-mile delivery, highlighting issues like overexertion, slips, trips, and falling objects.
The transportation and warehousing sector had the highest serious injury and illness rate of all 19 sectors in 2022. OSHA cited last-mile delivery and warehouse employers for over 2,500 workplace violations between the fiscal years of 2018-2023. Eleven of these citations were related to ergonomic hazards, the report shows.
With technology and productivity pressures potentially increasing injury risks, the report found that the guidelines used by the Occupational Health and Safety Agency (OSHA)are outdated and its training insufficient.
Recommendations include improving training, updating guidance, and ensuring follow-up with businesses to address ergonomic hazards.
Amazon singled out
Other studies have found thatAmazon warehouse workers suffer serious injuries at a higher rate than those at rival companies
In 2020, there were 5.9 serious injuries for every 100 Amazon warehouse workers, which is nearly 80% higher than the serious injury rate at non-Amazon warehouses
OSHA inspectors found Amazon workers to be at high risk for lower back injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders due to factors such as heavy lifting and awkward postures.
A union-backed study of safety data found Amazon workers had 5.9 serious injuries per 100 people - almost 80% higher than the rest of the industry, according to the BBC.
The study's organizers blamed Amazon's "obsession with speed" as a main cause of the problem.
It is the latest in a string of controversies around worker safety.