Feds cite Amazon warehouses for unsafe working conditions, including Aurora location

Federal officials have cited Amazon for unsafe working conditions and ergonomic hazards at three warehouses, including the company’s Aurora site.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations to Amazon connected to the Aurora warehouse along with worksites in Nampa, Idaho; and Castleton, N.Y.; for “failing to keep workers safe,” according to a Wednesday U.S. Department of Labor new release.

OSHA has also “delivered hazard alert letters for exposing workers to ergonomic hazards,” the release said. Similar safety failures have been found at additional Amazon sites in violation of OSHA Act’s general duty clause, federal officials said.

Referrals from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York lead to inspections of Amazon warehouses in Florida, Illinois and New York in July. OSHA, in August, 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 release said.

Risks workers face at facilities, according to OSHA, are related to:

• High frequency of lifting 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.

“Amazon’s operating methods are creating hazardous work conditions and processes, leading to serious worker injuries,” said Doug Parker, OSHA assistant secretary. “They need to take these injuries seriously and implement a company-wide strategy to protect their employees from these well-known and preventable hazards.”

OSHA has proposed $46,875 in penalties for the violations at the Aurora, Nampa and Castleton facilities.