The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced on Dec. 16 that it has cited Amazon during inspections at six warehouses in five states for failing to properly record work-related injuries and illnesses. We've gathered articles on the news from SHRM Online and other media outlets.
14 Record-Keeping Violations
OSHA said it had cited Amazon for 14 separate record-keeping violations. The company faces $29,000 in fines. The citations involve warehouses in Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois and two facilities in New York.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement that worker safety is a top priority and the company invests hundreds of millions of dollars each year to ensure a robust safety program. "While we acknowledge there may have been small administrative errors over the years, we've been confident in the numbers we've reported to the government," Nantel said.
(Reuters)
Amazon Probed Over Retaliation Claims After Fire
OSHA is also investigating Amazon over allegedly retaliating against employees who raised safety concerns after a fire at the company's unionized New York City warehouse. The investigation came after 21 complaints were filed with the agency. The probe concerns the company's suspensions of workers who marched to confront company HR, demanding to be sent home with pay after the fire because they felt unsafe, according to the Amazon Labor Union's attorney.
"We do not retaliate against our employees for exercising their federally protected rights," Amazon spokesperson Mary Kate Paradis said. "These claims have no merit, and we believe OSHA will come to the same conclusion."
Deaths at Amazon Facilities Investigated
The agency also is investigating three deaths at Amazon facilities in New Jersey. Workers in one facility said the employee who died there often worked on a hot upper floor of the warehouse. In May, long prior to the deaths, eight U.S. representatives from New Jersey asked OSHA to look into "skyrocketing" injuries at the company.
Following one death, Amazon spokesman Sam Stephenson issued the following statement: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague and our thoughts are with his family and his friends. We are in contact with the employee's family to offer support, and we're providing counseling resources to employees needing additional care. As is standard protocol, we are conducting an internal investigation and are cooperating with OSHA, who is also conducting their own independent review."
(USA Today Network via My Central Jersey, New Jersey 101.5 and SHRM Online)
OSHA Penalties Run the Gamut
OSHA penalties for violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act vary based on several factors.
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