The United States Department of Labor announced on Thursday that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has finalized a settlement with Amazon (AMZN) following accusations of unsafe working conditions at Amazon facilities.
The settlement establishes a corporate-wide agreement with Amazon intended to "enhance employee protection against hazardous working conditions that can lead to significant lower back and other musculoskeletal ailments," as detailed in the press release.
"This nationwide settlement agreement aims to improve working conditions for several hundred thousand Amazon employees across the country," stated Douglas Parker, Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health. "The agreement mandates Amazon to evaluate ergonomic risks at its facilities, including annual updates, and to investigate and enact measures to mitigate those risks. The responsibility now lies with Amazon. OSHA stands prepared to collaborate with their ergonomics team to assess their progress and ensure they fulfill their commitments to OSHA."
In 2022, OSHA launched an investigation into Amazon's safety practices across its operational network due to various concerns.
Under this agreement, Amazon must implement ergonomic standards at the corporate level to ensure they are effectively applied at all Amazon facilities covered by the agreement.
This agreement encompasses all of Amazon's fulfillment centers, sortation centers, and delivery stations, among other facilities within the jurisdiction of federal OSHA. It also introduces an alternative dispute resolution process designed to swiftly address and rectify ergonomic issues reported by Amazon employees.
In accordance with the settlement's terms, Amazon is also required to pay a $145,000 fine, implement enhanced workplace safety protocols, and grant OSHA access to inspect their facilities for the next two years.
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