Amazons Deadly Pursuit: How The Quest For Speed Leaves Warehouse Workers Vulnerable To Devastating Injuries

Amazon’s relentless pursuit of speed has been linked to a significant increase in workplace injuries among its warehouse workers. A scathing report by Senator Bernie Sanders reveals that Amazon’s focus on efficiency has put employees at risk of severe harm.

The report, which Amazon has disputed as “fundamentally flawed,” highlights the alarming trend of injury rates at Amazon facilities. According to the data, Amazon’s injury rates are nearly twice as high as those of non-Amazon warehouses, with nearly twice as many recordable injuries per 100 workers occurring at Amazon facilities over the past seven years. This trend is attributed to Amazon’s “obsession with productivity and speed,” which drives workers beyond safe limits.

Amazon’s comparison of its injury rate to the industry average for large warehouses has also been questioned. However, only 40% of Amazon’s warehouses meet this criteria, making the comparison less accurate. Furthermore, Amazon’s own data suggests that nearly two-thirds of large warehouses are actually Amazon facilities, which skews the national statistics.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires all US employers, including Amazon, to report any injuries that cause “death, days away from work, restricted work or transfer to another job, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness.” Despite this requirement, Amazon’s reportable injury rate has remained relatively flat since 2017, with a long-term trend of injury rates ranging from 6.54 to 7.74.

One Amazon worker, who spoke to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), described the workplace as “uniquely dangerous.” The worker stated, “There is not a safe way to make rate without being injured. There is not a single person I worked with while I was at Amazon that didn’t have an injury.”

Amazon has responded to the report, stating that its safety progress is well-documented and that it will continue to invest in safety and continuous improvement. However, the company’s response has been met with skepticism, with many questioning its commitment to employee safety.

As the debate over Amazon’s workplace safety continues, workers are speaking out about their experiences. If you are an Amazon worker who wants to share your perspective, please contact Dominick via email or text/call/Signal at 646.768.4750. Responses will be kept confidential.

In a world where speed and efficiency are increasingly valued, it’s time to reevaluate the cost of prioritizing productivity over people. Senator Bernie Sanders’ words echo the concerns of Amazon workers: “There is not a safe way to make rate without being injured.” It’s time for Amazon to put its workers first and prioritize their safety above all else.