Amazon injury rates are higher than injury rates at similar warehouses.
Amazon is one of the biggest employers in the U.S. Its warehouses are known for fast shipping and high-tech automation. But they’re also getting attention for a more troubling reason—worker injuries. Reports show that Amazon warehouse workers get hurt more often than those at similar jobs. This raises serious concerns about safety and working conditions.
How do Amazon injury rates compare?
According to a recent study, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported that Amazon warehouses have greater injury rates than other fulfillment facilities. In fact, Amazon workers were roughly twice as likely as non-Amazon warehouse employees to sustain major accidents. Sprains, fractures, and repetitive stress injuries are examples of ailments that frequently require time away from work or medical treatment.
Amazon employs 79% of workers in warehouses with at least 1,000 employees. However, Amazon warehouses account for 86% of all injuries.
Data also suggests that serious injuries – ones requiring time off or job restrictions – occur more frequently in Amazon warehouses compared to other companies in the industry.
Why are Amazon warehouses more dangerous?
There are several reasons Amazon’s injury rates are higher than other warehouses. Many of these issues stem from the company’s focus on speed, automation, and strict worker productivity quotas:
Fast-paced work environment
Amazon warehouses operate at a rapid pace, with workers expected to meet high quotas for picking, packing, and moving items. Employees often report that they feel pressured to move as quickly as possible, leaving little time for proper lifting techniques or breaks. This fast-paced environment increases the risk of muscle strains, slips, and repetitive motion injuries.
Automation and robotics
Amazon has invested heavily in automation, using robots to move goods and assist with fulfillment. However, instead of reducing injuries, automation has often made jobs more demanding.
Workers are expected to keep up with robotic systems. This leads to faster movements, more repetitive tasks, and an overall increase in physical strain.
Amazon injury rates actually increase with robot automation
In recent years, Amazon has increased the use of robots in its warehouses to speed up delivery times and improve efficiency.
When Amazon started using robots, the company claimed the automation would help reduce injuries to workers. Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting has obtained Amazon records that show the exact opposite. While automation may help the company move products faster, it has also led to a significant rise in worker injuries.
Some reports indicate that Amazon injury rates are higher in warehouses that use robots compared to those that do not. In fact, reports from workplace safety groups show that injury rates at robotic fulfillment centers can be as much as 50% higher!
These “robots are apparently so efficient that quotas have increased substantially, requiring workers to do repetitive motions over long shift that can eventually lead to injuries.” For example, “workers at robotic fulfillment centers were expected to pick up and scan roughly 400 items an hour, compared with the standard rate of 100 items per hour at other facilities.” (CNBC.com) In other words, humans can’t keep up with the robots without hurting themselves.
Inadequate safety measures
While Amazon has stated that worker safety is a priority, many employees have reported that safety training is insufficient. In some cases, injured workers say they were discouraged from reporting their injuries or seeking medical treatment. Some warehouses have also been criticized for failing to provide enough rest breaks, forcing workers to push their bodies to the limit just to meet quotas.
The US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions conducted an investigation using seven years of Amazon workplace injury data. 130 Amazon workers were interviewed during this investigation. From this report:
“Workers report having to regularly bypass safety measures, such as properly using ladders or asking a teammate for help to lift a heavy item, to keep up with the company’s productivity requirements. As a result, workers are forced to choose between following safety procedures and risking discipline and potential termination for not moving fast enough.”
“Amazon actively discourages injured workers from receiving outside medical care, putting injured workers further at risk.”
Despite measures recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “such as an extra rest break or rotating workers to other jobs during the day,” Amazon has not widely implemented the measures. Therefore, injury rates have continued to rise.
What types of injuries are most common?
The most common injuries reported in Amazon warehouses:
- Repetitive stress injuries: Constant bending, lifting, and reaching can cause long-term damage to muscles and joints.
- Back and shoulder injuries: Lifting heavy items without enough recovery time leads to muscle strains and spinal issues.
- Slips and falls: Fast movement in crowded warehouses can lead to dangerous falls, sometimes causing fractures or concussions.
- Crush injuries: With heavy machinery and robotic systems in place, some workers have been injured by equipment or falling objects.
Amazon’s response to workplace injuries
Amazon has acknowledged workplace safety concerns and claims it is working to improve conditions. The company has introduced safety programs, better training, and injury prevention measures to try to improve Amazon injury rates.
Many workers and labor advocates argue that these efforts are not enough, as the pressure to meet productivity goals continues to put employees at risk. Workers feel that the pressure to meet quotas still overrides safety concerns, and that real change will only come with stronger protections and enforcement from regulators.
According to TheNation.com, Amazon has emphasized improvements in “lost time” rate. This refers to missed days of work due to injuries. However, a report by the Strategic Organizing Center found that Amazon could be shifting cases that would normally be categorized as “lost time” to “light duty”. “When workers are seriously injured, Amazon has a strategy to push them to keep working while they are recovering—a policy that is designed to reduce the number of lost time cases and save the company money on workers’ compensation program costs.”
Of course, this “Return to Work” program may cause injured employees to return before they should. 37% of injured workers reported that they were pressured to return to work before they felt ready. This can cause more injuries.
What can injured workers do?
If you are an Amazon warehouse worker who has been injured on the job, you have legal rights. You may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits to cover medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. In some cases, if your injury was caused by negligence, such as unsafe working conditions or lack of proper training, you may also have grounds for a legal claim against Amazon. However, navigating a workers’ compensation claim can be difficult, especially when dealing with a large corporation like Amazon.
In some cases, Amazon or its insurance providers may try to deny or minimize claims. If this happens, seeking legal help from an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can make a big difference in securing the benefits you deserve.
It is important to report any workplace injury as soon as possible and seek medical attention. Keeping documentation of your injury, including medical records and witness statements, can help support your claim.
Lastly, contact The Law Offices of David L. Hood and his co-counsel legal team – your workers’ compensation attorney.
How we can help
If you or a loved one has been injured working at an Amazon warehouse (or any other warehouse), an attorney may be able to help you in several ways:
- Filing a workers’ compensation claim: A lawyer should be able to guide you through the process and ensure all paperwork is completed correctly.
- Appealing denied claims: If your claim is denied, an attorney can help you fight for the benefits you need.
- Investigating workplace conditions: A legal team can look into unsafe conditions, hold your workplace accountable, and potentially seek additional compensation.
- Protecting your rights: Your employer may pressure you to return to work too soon. A lawyer can work to ensure that you receive proper medical care and fair treatment.
Amazon injury rates continue to be higher than comparable warehouses, putting thousands of workers at risk. While automation and efficiency drive the company’s success, these factors have also contributed to dangerous working conditions. The fast-paced environment, repetitive tasks, and high expectations put employees at risk for serious injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured while working at an Amazon facility, or any other warehouse, you may have legal options. Consulting with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you navigate the claims process and ensure you receive the compensation and care you deserve.
The Law Offices of David L. Hood – Worker Injury Attorneys in South Carolina
The Law Offices of David L. Hood and co-counsel have been fighting for the rights of injured workers all across South Carolina for over 30 years. We have a dedicated team that will strive to take care of your claim professionally and treat you with respect. Over the years we and our co-counsel have represented hundreds of injured workers and their families, working hard to get them the medical treatment and compensation they deserve.
To learn more about what we can do for you, contact our offices to set up a free initial consultation. If you choose to work with us, we will handle your case on a contingent fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we make a recovery for you. To get in touch with us, you can contact our offices by phone, email, text or chat.
