Amazon Prime Day Major Cause For Injuries For US Warehouse Employees, Bernie Sanders Report Claims. Here's How Amazon Responded

Senator Sanders stated that the report underscores the "incredibly dangerous working conditions at Amazon," which he describes as an example of corporate greed that Americans are fed up with.

The report also alleges that Amazon often failed to refer injured workers for external medical care.

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A new report released Tuesday by Senator Bernie Sanders reveals that Amazon's Prime Day sales event has been a significant source of injuries for warehouse employees who handle customer orders in the company’s facilities across the United States, reported the Associated Press. The report is based on a year-long Senate committee investigation into Amazon’s safety practices, using internal company data from 2019 and 2020. It highlights that peak shopping periods, including the holiday season, have resulted in the highest weekly injury rates among warehouse workers.

In addition to internal data, the report includes interviews with over 100 current and former Amazon employees. This year’s two-day Prime Day event commenced on Tuesday.

'Incredibly Dangerous'

Senator Sanders stated that the report underscores the "incredibly dangerous working conditions at Amazon," which he describes as an example of corporate greed that Americans are fed up with. He criticised Amazon for its treatment of workers despite the company’s substantial profits and the CEO’s high compensation.

"Despite making $36 billion in profits last year and providing its CEO with over $275 million in compensation over the past three years, Amazon continues to treat its workers as disposable and with complete contempt for their safety and well-being. That is unacceptable, and that has got to change," Sanders said.

For years, labour unions and safety experts have condemned Amazon's focus on speed and efficiency, which they argue endangers workers. according to the AP. Some states have enacted laws to limit the use of productivity quotas in warehouses, though Amazon maintains that it does not use them.

The Senate report found that 45 out of 100 warehouse workers sustained injuries during the 2019 Prime Day event. These injuries ranged from minor bruises and cuts to serious injuries like concussions, which should have been reported to federal authorities.

How Did Amazon Respond?

Amazon contested these findings. "The claims that we systemically underreport injuries, and that our actual injury rates are higher than publicly reported, are false," said Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel. "We’re required to report every injury that needs more than basic first aid, and that’s what we do."

Nantel added that a six-month federal investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found no intentional or systemic errors in Amazon's injury reporting, although minor clerical errors could occur.

The report also alleges that Amazon often failed to refer injured workers for external medical care to avoid classifying injuries as "recordable" by OSHA. Workers were reportedly sent back to work after receiving first aid, even for serious injuries.

Amazon has previously acknowledged higher injury rates in its warehouses compared to industry peers. Federal safety investigators have fined the company following inspections at some facilities, prompted by referrals from the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, which is also investigating Amazon’s worker safety practices.

The report also claims Amazon did not adequately staff its warehouses during peak periods, a charge Amazon disputes. In March, Amazon announced a $750 million investment in safety measures for this year.