Amazon received a citation and $7,000 in proposed fines for alleged workplace safety violations at its Robbinsville fulfillment center
ROBBINSVILLE -- Amazon is planning to contest the citation and $7,000 in proposed fines it received for alleged workplace safety violations at its Robbinsville fulfillment center.
"We take safety very seriously," spokesman Aaron Toso said. "We do not agree with the findings and will be contesting the citation."
The 11-page citation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that the online retail giant failed to report 26 workplace injuries or illnesses on the required OSHA 300 logs.
The investigation began July 1 and was prompted by a complaint alleging recordkeeping violations, the U.S. Department of Labor said Tuesday.
The injuries ranged from an employee having shoulder pain after pushing a cart onto an elevator that had gotten stuck and a woman tripping over a cart and hitting her head to several others who were injured after lifting boxes and totes.
Most were placed on light duty/work restriction, but others had to take a leave of absence.
"Failure to properly record occupational illnesses and injuries is hazardous to workers," said Paula Dixon-Roderick, director of OSHA's Marlton Area Office. "The lack of accurate data can mask patterns of injuries and illnesses that could help uncover conditions with the potential of putting workers at risk."
The alleged violations led to an "other-than-serious" citation. OSHA says such a violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but is not serious in nature.
The agency also issued Amazon two hazard-alert letters and urged the company to take voluntary steps to address the issues.
One letter warned Amazon that employees were exposed to ergonomic risk factors, including stress from repeated bending at the waist and repeated exertions and standing during entire shifts up to 10 hours, four days a week -- and sometimes during mandatory overtime shifts.
Among the proposed solutions was giving employees an extra break, rotating them through different jobs throughout the day and providing chairs at work stations so they don't waste time walking to the break room.
The second letter focused on the company's on-site medical unit, AMCARE. The medical staff, though all licensed EMTs, are providing medical care beyond what is allowed by their licensing and certification because Amazon is not licensed by the state Department of Health to provide that level of care.
"In addition to keeping accurate records, Amazon should address the potential dangers identified in the hazard-alert letters to ensure the safety and health of its fulfillment center employees," Dixon-Roderick said.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.