On December 21, 2015, the Amazon fulfillment center in Robbinsville was issued a $7,000 fine by the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Marlton Area Office.
One ergonomic-related hazard-alert letter was issued on December 30, 2015 and OSHA issued a medical-related hazard-alert letter on January 7, 2016.
OSHA’s investigation began July 1, 2015, in response to a complaint alleging recordkeeping violations; employees exposed to workplace hazards including fall, noise, electrical and amputation hazards and the lack of personal protective equipment.
OSHA investigators cited Amazon Fulfillment Services with the other-than-serious citation for not recording 26 instances of work-related injuries and illnesses on the required OSHA 300 logs.
Amazon received hazard-alert letters because the company exposed employees to ergonomic risk factors including stress from repeated bending at the waist and repeated exertions, and standing during entire shifts up to 10 hours, four days a week and sometimes including mandatory overtime shifts. Also, the on-site medical unit provided medical care beyond what is allowed by their licensing and certification, without the supervision of a board certified qualified medical professional licensed to practice independently.
The employer has 15 business days from receipt of the citation and proposed penalty to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
View the citation, visit osha.gov/ooc/citations/Amazon_1074833_Citation.pdf.
