Amazon's Warehouse Safety Practices Under Scrutiny
A scathing report from a U.S. Senate committee has shed light on Amazon's warehouse safety practices, revealing internal studies that link worker pace and injuries.
The 160-page review, compiled by the Democratic majority staff of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, is the final product of an investigation into Amazon's warehouse safety practices initiated last year by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Internal Studies Highlighted
The report reveals two internal studies conducted by Amazon: Project Elderwand and Project Soteria.
Project Elderwand, launched in 2021, aimed to determine the maximum number of times a warehouse worker could perform the same physical tasks without increased risk of harm. The study concluded that repetitive movements above 1,940 per 10-hour shift would increase back injury risks.
- The report states that Amazon's response was to reject implementing breaks according to each worker's rate due to concerns over potential negative impacts on the "workers or customer experience."
Project Soteria: A Different Approach
Amazon conducted another study, Project Soteria, in 2020. This initiative aimed to identify risk factors for injuries and recommend policy changes that would improve worker safety.
The study found that two temporary policies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic - giving workers more time off and pausing disciplinary measures - lowered injury risks.
- However, Amazon leaders denied making these changes permanent, citing concerns over potential negative impacts on productivity.
Criticisms from the Senate Committee
The Senate committee report also alleges that Amazon manipulates its workplace injury data to portray its warehouses as safer than they are.
Amazon disputed this claim, stating it produced thousands of pages of information and data for the committee but failed to provide documents on the connection between worker pace and injuries.
Amazon's Response
Amazon responded to the report by saying Sen. Sanders "continues to mislead the American public" about the company's safety practices.
- The company claims the report is "wrong on the facts and features selective, outdated information that lacks context and isn’t grounded in reality."
Further Investigation
The Senate committee's findings come as Amazon faces ongoing scrutiny over its warehouse safety practices.
A Washington state worker safety case involving Amazon is currently being appealed after a judge ruled in the company's favor earlier this year.