A recent Senate committee investigation found that Amazon, the largest online retailer in the nation, is putting its workers at risk of injury by prioritizing speed over safety. The investigation revealed that Amazon manipulated workplace injury data to make its warehouses appear safer than they actually are.
The report, released by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, involved an 18-month review of seven years of Amazon’s workplace injury data and interviews with over 130 Amazon workers. The findings showed that Amazon warehouses have significantly higher injury rates compared to the industry average and non-Amazon warehouses.
Over the past seven years, Amazon workers were nearly twice as likely to be injured compared to workers at other warehouses. The report also highlighted that in 2023, Amazon warehouses recorded over 30% more injuries than the industry average.
The investigation concluded that Amazon workers were put in dangerous situations due to the fast pace and pressure to meet high productivity standards. Although the company has safety protocols in place, the report found that the required rates make it nearly impossible for workers to follow these procedures.
Amazon has rejected the findings of the investigation, stating that the company has made significant safety improvements over the years. The company argued that the investigation was an attempt to collect information to support a false narrative.
This is not the first time Amazon has faced accusations of high injury rates. The report rejected Amazon’s defense, stating that the company’s comparisons of injury rates are misleading. Amazon has been accused of discouraging injured workers from seeking outside medical care and obstructing workers from receiving necessary care beyond first aid.
The congressional report also found cases of workers suffering from chronic pain, loss of mobility, disabilities, and diminished quality of life due to injuries sustained in Amazon warehouses. The HELP panel is not the only group to accuse Amazon of unsafe working conditions, as previous investigations have also raised concerns about the physical toll on Amazon warehouse workers.
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