Amazon is the powerhouse of e-commerce, and it is widely admired for its convenience, efficiency, and speed. Of course, Amazon would not be Amazon without its vast network of warehouses spread across the country. In Amazon warehouses, orders are fulfilled and organized to be sent out to ordering customers. However, many individuals aren’t aware of what goes on behind the scenes and the number of occupational hazards that exist for Amazon warehouse employees. In 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor issued citations at several Amazon warehouses across the country for failing to keep their employees safe. Furthermore, the prominence of occupational hazards in Amazon warehouses has not gone unnoticed and it is important to bring attention to these hazards that exist.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
The first, and perhaps most common, type of occupational hazard that is commonly experienced by workers in Amazon warehouses is repetitive motion injuries. Repetitive motion injuries, also known as repetitive strain injuries, result when your muscles, tendons, and nerves are damaged from repeating the same motion over and over again. In Amazon warehouses, employees are completing several monotonous tasks such as scanning barcode labels, packing boxes, and loading up delivery trucks. These constant and repetitive motions can take a toll on your physical health.
Exposure to Hazardous Materials
Another occupational hazard in Amazon warehouses is exposure to hazardous materials and chemicals. As Amazon warehouse workers, contact with harmful chemicals and hazardous materials is likely inevitable, as many of these chemicals and materials are found in the items that customers are ordering. These hazardous chemicals and materials include pesticides, batteries, cleaning products, dust, and toxic gasses. To combat the adverse effects these hazardous materials can have, Amazon workers must be sure to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
Slip and Falls
Slip and falls is another type of occupational hazard that exists at Amazon warehouses. Oftentimes, Amazon workers are required to use ladders and work on elevated surfaces to move around packages in the warehouse. Failure to exercise caution when using ladders can result in severe injury. Additionally, slippery floors in Amazon warehouses can result in serious falls and injuries.
Machinery Injuries
Another common injury that Amazon warehouse workers experience is caused by machinery. For example, many Amazon warehouse employees work with heavy and complex machinery such as forklifts to transport Amazon orders throughout the warehouse. However, mistakes sometimes occur and result in other employees getting struck by forklifts or caught under other dangerous pieces of equipment. In fact, in 2022, an Amazon worker was partially crushed by a forklift at the fulfillment center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Furthermore, Amazon employees must be well-trained in how to operate this machinery.
What To Do If You Have Been Injured in an Amazon Warehouse
If you have been injured in an Amazon warehouse, it is important to reach out to a Los Angeles Amazon warehouse injury lawyer to learn about what your legal options are. A lawyer can help you file a claim, fill out the necessary paperwork, as well as protect your rights against Amazon. By hiring a lawyer, you will be able to focus on your injury recovery and have peace of mind that an experienced legal professional is supporting your case.
