Worker Dies At Amazon Warehouse In Carteret

By Sophie Nieto-Munoz, New Jersey Monitor

July 21, 2022

An Amazon worker died at a Carteret fulfillment center last week during one of the e-commerce giant’s busiest sale days, the company confirmed.

A spokesperson for the online retailer confirmed the death occurred July 13 at the EWR9 facility. Amazon’s Prime Day sale was on July 12 and 13.

“We’re deeply saddened by the passing of one of our colleagues and offer our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time,” Amazon spokesperson Sam Stephenson said in a statement to the New Jersey Monitor.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death. A regional office in Avenel directed inquiries to the national office, which did not reply to requests for comment.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said it is not investigating the death of the unnamed worker. The Carteret Police Department did not respond to a request for comment.

A June report by worker advocacy group National Employment Law Project attributed Amazon’s 124% employee turnover rate, in part, to excessive injuries at the warehouses.

Another report from the Strategic Organizing Center, a group of four labor unions, said OSHA records show injury rates jumped by 20% in Amazon warehouses in 2021.

Plans for an Amazon freight hub center at Newark airport recently fell through after months of environmental advocates and Newark residents fighting the deal.

Amazon shoppers ordered more than 300 million items during this year’s two-day sale, the company announced.

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