The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that a company-wide settlement has been reached between Amazon and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) aimed at protecting employees from serious musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including lower back injuries, in all Improve Amazon facilities.
The settlement concludes the department's extensive ergonomics claims against Amazon.com Services and marks OSHA's first significant multi-site investigation in more than a decade.
The agreement comes ahead of scheduled hearings for 10 cases before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, which are scheduled to take place between January and June 2025.
OSHA Acting Secretary Douglas Parker stated, “This company-wide settlement agreement is focused on improving conditions for several hundred thousand Amazon workers across the country.
“The agreement requires Amazon to assess ergonomic risks across all of its facilities, including through annual updates, and to investigate and implement controls to reduce ergonomic risks. The ball is in the company’s court. OSHA stands ready to work with their ergonomics team to evaluate their progress and review the commitments they have made to OSHA.”
The law firm, led by the New York regional office, has been involved in litigation with Amazon over these matters since 2022.
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By GlobalData
The agreement requires Amazon to implement company-wide ergonomics protocols at all facilities covered by the agreement. The regulations extend to all Amazon fulfillment centers, sortation centers, delivery stations and other relevant operations under federal OSHA jurisdiction.
The agreement also establishes an alternative dispute resolution mechanism designed to promptly address and resolve ergonomic concerns reported by employees. OSHA's initial pursuit was for nationwide corrective action – a goal supported by a 2023 ruling from an OSHRC judge that allowed OSHA to obtain such broad relief.
Additionally, the agreement formalizes ergonomic safety measures that Amazon has already implemented at sites previously cited by OSHA for associated hazards in 2023.
Semi-annual meetings are scheduled between the parties to review data on trends in MSD injuries, progress on pilot projects to address ergonomic risks, and details of Amazon's corporate ergonomics program.
Amazon will have to pay a penalty of $145,000 – more than 90% of what was originally levied by OSHA for ergonomics-related charges.
The key obligations of the agreement are:
– The formation of an internal ergonomics team responsible for risk assessments and piloting technical controls.
– Appoint Site Ergonomics Leads (SELs) at each site to conduct site-specific risk assessments – updated annually or as changes occur that increase risk – and implement appropriate controls.
– Comprehensive ergonomics training for SELs, security personnel and site-level workers.
– Multiple channels through which employees can confidentially report ergonomic issues if they wish.
– Regularly assess compliance with the company-wide ergonomics program through training compliance analysis and site assessments.
The agreement also details specific ergonomic improvements that Amazon has implemented at local locations. The term of the contract is two years, with the possibility for both parties to request termination after one year.
This settlement does not affect an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York into whether Amazon concealed actual injury rates and workplace safety risks at its nationwide warehouse facilities.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has launched a nationwide strike against Amazon after the company repeatedly refused to negotiate better working conditions.
