OSHA has reached an agreement with Amazon to help protect employees from hazardous working conditions and prevent workers from suffering serious lower back and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). According to the agency, the corporate-wide settlement will resolve the multiple ergonomics cases against Amazon.com Services LLC. As part of the agreement, Amazon will work at the corporate level to ensure ergonomics requirements are effectively implemented at each Amazon facility covered by the agreement. This includes Amazon’s fulfillment centers, sortation centers, and delivery stations. 

Additionally, the settlement memorializes ergonomic safety measures that Amazon has implemented at facilities cited by OSHA for ergonomic hazards in 2023. However, OSHA does still have the ability to conduct on-site inspections and will cite Amazon if it fails to meet the requirements of the corporate-wide ergonomics plan. 

OSHA and Amazon plan to meet biannually to discuss:

• Leading and lagging indicator data, including MSD injury trends
• The status of pilot projects and controls intended to address ergonomic risks
• Elements of Amazon’s corporate ergonomic program

Because of its previous violations, Amazon will have to pay $145,000 in penalties. 

What people are saying

In a recent quote, Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Douglas L. Parker said, “This corporate-wide settlement agreement focuses on improving conditions for several hundred thousand Amazon workers nationwide. The agreement requires Amazon to assess ergonomic risk across its facilities, including through annual updates, and investigate and implement controls to reduce ergonomic risk. The ball is in the company’s court. OSHA stands ready to work with their ergonomics team to evaluate their progress and verify the commitments they made to OSHA.”

Solicitor of Labor Seema Nanda added, “Corporate-wide settlements can be a critical tool to protect workers from health and safety violations because they protect the most workers and can incentivize companies to solve underlying problems. This settlement requires Amazon to take action at the corporate level to ensure corporate-wide ergonomic requirements are effectively implemented at its warehouses nationwide. The Solicitor’s Office supports agreements that require employers to demonstrate their commitment to solving complex problems and work with OSHA on improving their processes. Amazon must do so under this agreement, and the department has the ability to enforce the agreement in court should the company fail to live up to its commitments.”

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