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Amazon to pay $145,000 penalty after a settlement with U.S. authorities

Amazon's fulfillment center. (Image source: Amazon)
Amazon's fulfillment center. (Image source: Amazon)
The agreement was reached in connection with multiple ergonomics cases under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). As part of the settlement, Amazon is required to take steps to address hazardous working conditions.

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a significant corporate-wide settlement between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Amazon, aimed at improving worker safety across the company’s nationwide facilities. The agreement, which resolves multiple ergonomics cases involving Amazon, requires the company to take extensive steps to address hazardous working conditions that have led to musculoskeletal disorders and other injuries among employees. 

Amazon will pay a penalty of $145,000, over 90% of the amount originally assessed by OSHA in the ergonomics citations, as part of the settlement.

Under the terms of the agreement, the company must implement a corporate-wide ergonomics program across its fulfillment centers, sortation centers, and delivery stations. This plan includes annual ergonomic risk assessments, site-specific controls to reduce hazards, and the creation of designated Site Ergonomics Leads (SELs) at each facility. 

“This agreement is a critical step in improving the safety of Amazon’s workers,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, Douglas L. Parker. “By implementing these measures, Amazon is committing to reduce ergonomic risks at its facilities, helping to protect several hundred thousand workers across the country. The company must now demonstrate its commitment to these improvements and work with OSHA to monitor and verify the progress it makes.” 

While this settlement resolves OSHA’s ergonomics cases, it does not impact the ongoing investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York into potential fraud related to Amazon’s reported injury rates and worker safety conditions. The two-year settlement agreement includes a provision for biannual meetings between Amazon and OSHA to review progress, and it allows for inspections to ensure compliance. 

The authority informed that if Amazon fails to meet its commitments, they retain the authority to enforce the terms of the agreement and pursue further action in court.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2024 12 > Amazon to pay $145,000 penalty after a settlement with U.S. authorities
Daniela Morales Soler, 2024-12-20 (Update: 2024-12-20)