On Tuesday, January 12, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor fined Amazon’s Robbinsville fulfillment center $7,000, alleging that that location failed to log 26 instances of work-related injuries. Furthermore, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that the employees at the location were exposed to workplace ergonomic risks, which included repeated bending at the waist, exertions, and standing during their 10-hour shifts for four days. This also included some mandatory overtime shifts.
These allegations came about after OSHA started an investigation into the Robbinsville facility on July 1, 2015. Paula Dixon-Roderick, Director of the OSHA Marlton office, released a statement saying in part, “Failure to properly record occupational illnesses and injuries is hazardous to workers. The lack of accurate data can mask patterns of injuries and illnesses that could help uncover conditions with the potential of putting workers at risk.”
Additionally in the process of the investigation, OSHA found that the warehouse’s onsite medical team was providing medical care to employees beyond what their specific licensing and certification allowed. As a result of these findings, Amazon received an “other than serious” labeled citation for not recording the 26 work-related injuries and illnesses, and “hazard alert” letters for the remaining violations.
If you or your family are employed at the Amazon Robbinsville location and you have been injured at the workplace, please contact Stark & Stark Personal Injury group, or other experienced counsel, immediately.