OSHA Cites Amazon Over Safety At Waukegan Warehouse

WAUKEGAN, IL — Federal workplace safety regulators this week cited Amazon over alleged failures to keep workers safe at a Waukegan warehouse.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, issued hazard alert letters about conditions at the Waukegan warehouse, as well as Amazon facilities in Deltona, Florida, and New Windsor, New York.

The company faces a total of more than $60,000 in potential fines over conditions at the three warehouses.

Investigators found workers at the Waukegan Amazon warehouse were at "high risk for lower back injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders related to the high frequency with which workers are required to lift packages and other items; the heavy weight of the items; awkward postures, such as twisting, bending and long reaches while lifting; and long hours required to complete assigned tasks," according to an OSHA release.

On-site injury logs reviewed by OSHA showed Amazon workers at its Waukegan facility, which it calls MDW8, have high rates of musculoskeletal disorders, agency officials said.

Doug Parker, assistant secretary for occupational safety and health, said in a statement that he hoped the investigations "inspire" Amazon company officials to make the safety of their workers one of the corporation's most important values.

"Each of these inspections found work processes that were designed for speed but not safety, and they resulted in serious worker injuries," Parker said. "While Amazon has developed impressive systems to make sure its customers' orders are shipped efficiently and quickly, the company has failed to show the same level of commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of its workers."

The $15,625 fine recommended Wednesday marks the second time in just over a month that Amazon has run afoul of the agency over the Waukegan warehouse.

Last month, OSHA assessed a $2,072 fine after determining that Amazon had neglected to keep proper records of workplace injuries and illnesses.

The OSHA investigations began in July 2022 following referrals from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.

"These citations are a step toward protecting the hard-working people at Amazon’s warehouses who have been laboring under hazardous conditions," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said. The Manhattan-based federal appointed by President Joe Biden in 2021 said the OSHA investigation into Amazon is not over.

"And our Office is investigating possible fraudulent conduct designed to hide injuries from OSHA and others," Williams said in a statement. "We ask that anyone who has information relevant to this investigation contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

Amazon spokespeople said they disagree with the allegations and plan to appeal the fines.

According to a report from Strategic Organizing Center, a coalition of three unions campaigning for workplace safety at Amazon, workers at its warehouses in 2020 had a serious injury rate that is nearly 80 percent higher than all other employers in the warehouse industry.

Related: House Committee Says Amazon Obstructing Probe Of Deadly Warehouse Collapse