L&I claims workers put at risk of injury
SPOKANE — The Department of Labor & Industries has fined Amazon Inc., $85,800 for knowingly putting workers at risk of injury at their fulfillment center at 10010 W Geiger Blvd., Aug. 16.
According to a Labor & Industries (L&I) press release, this fulfillment center is one of three other locations across the state which has been cited for similar violations.
Amazon is aware of these hazards, the press release said, and that is why the most recent violation is considered “willful” and carries a higher penalty.
Craig Blackwood, assistant director for L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, said that Amazon has the means and technical experience to be able to avoid putting workers in danger at their sites.
The fulfillment on Geiger employs about 2,400 workers, and in the three years it has been in operation, there have been more than 400 workers’ compensation claims for “Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders.” It also has the highest injury rates for all Amazon fulfillment centers in the state, according to the department release.
The U.S. Department of Labor previously announced that it’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Amazon during inspections at six warehouse facilities in five states for failing to properly record work-related injuries and illnesses.
In addition to the ergonomic violations, the Spokane facility was also cited for three serious and one general violation for noise levels that were too high when workers are not wearing appropriate hearing protection.
Amazon has 15 business days to appeal the citation and has active appeals in three previous Washington cases, the release said.
Fines paid as a result of a citation go into the workers’ compensation supplemental pension fund, helping workers and families of those who have died on the job, the release said.
Lucas is a former Cheney Free Press managing editor. He is a nationally published author who contributes regularly to several publications across the country.
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