Washington L&I Cites Amazon’s Spokane Warehouse for Safety Hazards -- Occupational Health & Safety

Washington L&I Cites Amazon’s Spokane Warehouse for Safety Hazards

The e-commerce giant now faces $85,800 in fines.

By Robert Yaniz Jr.
Aug 18, 2023

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has identified safety concerns at an Amazon fulfillment center.

In a release dated August 16, L&I announced the results of its inspection of the Amazon facility in Spokane, Washington. The agency determined the location puts workers at ergonomic risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) due to the necessity for physical work involving repetitive motions and lifting at a fast pace.

The Spokane fulfillment center faces three serious and one general violation for high noise levels without hearing protection for employees in addition to the risk of WMSDs. As a result, L&I cited Amazon must pay $85,800 in fines.

Such violations are nothing new for Amazon, as L&I previously issued similar citations at three other locations across Washington. Because of this, the Spokane violations carry the higher penalty of being designated willful. While this mirrors similar concerns at Amazon facilities nationwide, the Spokane location has the highest injury rates of any in Washington state.

“Perhaps more than any other company, Amazon has the means and the know-how to invest in solutions that keep their workers safe,” Craig Blackwood, assistant director for L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, said in a statement.

Amazon now has 15 days to appeal L&I’s decision. The company currently has active appeals in three previous cases.

About the Author

Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.

Product Showcase

HAZ LO HEADLAMPS

With alkaline or rechargeable options, these safety rated, Class 1, Div. 1 Headlamps provide long runtime with both spot and flood options in the same light. Work safely and avoid trip hazards with flexible hands-free lighting from Streamlight. 3
Glove Guard® Clip

Safety should never be compromised, especially when it comes to proper glove usage. The Glove Guard® clip enhances safety by encouraging employees to keep their gloves with them at all times. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries on the job. By ensuring everyone has their gloves readily available, we help promote a culture of safety and efficiency. The Glove Guard® clip is designed to withstand the toughest work environments. Constructed from robust materials made in the USA, it can endure extreme conditions, including harsh weather, and rigorous activities. 3
Matrix's OmniPro Vision AI Collision Avoidance System

OmniPro Vision AI is a state-of-the-art collision avoidance system that features NIOSH award-winning Visual Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. This highly accurate, powerful system identifies and alerts on pedestrians, vehicles and specified objects, ensuring safer facilities, mining operations and industrial sites. With its web-based cloud application, OmniPro Vision AI also logs and analyzes a wide range of data related to zone breach notifications. Operating without needing personal wearable devices or tags, OmniPro has visual and audible zone breach alerts for both operators and pedestrians. 3