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Amazon warehouse workers report high rate of injuries in new survey

By Nagasunder in Amazon News, posted October 28, 2023

A recent survey has found nearly 41 percent of the Amazon US workforce in its fast-paced warehouses have reported job-related injuries.

The University of Illinois Chicago's Center for Urban Economic Development (CUED) conducted the survey.

It reveals 60 percent of these employees had to take unpaid time off in the past month to recover from physical pain or exhaustion.

These self-reported injury figures are nearly six times higher than previously reported.

It sheds light on the considerable physical and mental toll Amazon's work processes impose on its employees.

Researchers from CUED attribute this high injury rate to Amazon's monitoring practices and the relentless pace of work.

The survey, conducted from April to August this year, gathered responses from over 1,400 current Amazon workers across 451 facilities in 42 states.

It covered various topics, including work intensity, workplace safety protocols, and monitoring practices.

Amazon employs an electronic system to track productivity in its warehouses, which can contribute to the pressure on workers to perform at a faster pace.

The fast-paced environment makes them more susceptible to injuries and burnout.

Historical data has consistently shown that injury rates at Amazon's warehouses exceed industry averages.

In 2022, the company reported 6.6 serious injuries per 100 workers, more than double the injury rate at non-Amazon warehouses.

These statistics have raised concerns about worker safety.

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"Ulterior motive"

Amazon spokesperson Maureen Lynch Vogel said: "This is not a 'study' — it's a survey done on social media by groups with an ulterior motive.

"The data that we publish each year and submit to OSHA… shows that rates in our buildings have improved significantly, and we're slightly above the average in some areas and slightly below the average in others."

While Amazon has taken steps to reduce worker injuries, the CUED study indicates that injuries continue.

It’s particularly among those who struggle to keep up with the demanding pace of operations.

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