October 27, 2023

A new study by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago’s Center for Urban Economic Development (CUED) has found that Amazon warehouse workers report much higher injury rates than the company has self-reported to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The study, which surveyed 1,484 Amazon workers at 451 facilities across 42 states, found that 69 percent of respondents had to take unpaid time off due to pain or exhaustion in the past month, and 34 percent have had to do so three or more times. Additionally, 41 percent of respondents reported having been injured on the job, a figure that climbs to 51 percent for those who have worked there for three or more years.

These findings are in stark contrast to Amazon’s self-reported injury rate of 6.9 injuries for every 100 workers in 2022. The study also found that workers who felt pressured to work faster were more likely to report injuries and burnout. Fifty-two percent of respondents said they felt burned out by working at Amazon, and 41 percent reported always or most of the time feeling a sense of pressure to work faster.

Amazon has disputed the findings of the study, claiming that it is based on a survey conducted by groups with “an ulterior motive.” The company also said that injury rates at Amazon facilities have improved significantly in recent years. However, the study’s authors have defended their methodology, saying that they took steps to ensure the quality of their data. They also noted that the study was funded by independent organizations, including the Ford Foundation and the National Employment Law Project.

The sources for this piece include an article in TheRegister.