Amazon to pay OSHA $145,000 for workplace safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has come to the fore with Amazon regarding the hazardous work environment at ten technology sites. Under the settlement, Amazon will pay a penalty of $145,000 and must implement “corporate measures” to reduce the risk of injury to workers. OSHA will continue to inspect the facility for the next two years. On the government side of the deal, OSHA is to remove nine of his ten ergonomic statements against the company.

Ergonomic injuries are also known as musculoskeletal disorders. This can include sprains and strains that occur on the job.

A spokesperson from the Department of Labor said ABC news that this settlement is “the largest of its kind” and “resolves all known cases” against Amazon. However, it does not affect another investigation into Amazon covering up workplace injuries being conducted by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Amazon has denied the allegations.

Amazon workers also announced this week that protests began in several locations in California, Georgia, Illinois and New York. Members of the Teamsters union organized the trial, and several union heads voted action against the company. The Teamsters have called on Amazon to discuss work conditions, wages and benefits, asking the company to agree on a date to reach a contract on December 15. Hell Gate took pictures of the first day of the protests in Queens, NY, which show the peace line being broken by local police, who say they built bars allowing contractors to enter and exit Amazon distribution centers.

“If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame it on Amazon’s greed,” Teamsters executive president Sean M. O’Brien said in a statement. from the organization. “We gave Amazon a clear window of time to come to the table and do the right thing with our members. They ignored it.”