The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Wednesday cited three Amazon facilities for violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). The facilities were cited for failing to provide a safe, non-hazardous environment for employees. 

These citations were disclosed at a press conference held by US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams and Assistant Secretary of Labor Douglas Parker. The citations described workplace hazards that placed employees at risk for musculoskeletal disorders, including excessive frequency of lifting packages, falling packages and unreasonably long shifts.

Williams stated that all workers, including Amazon employees, have the right to work in an environment without hazards. The US Attorney announced that his office is investigating whether injuries were intentionally hidden from OSHA and investigative authorities. Parker said that the injuries and hazards come from a workplace that prioritizes speed over safety and encouraged Amazon and other warehouse retailers to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their employees. 

The three facilities that received the citations are located in New Windsor, NewYork, Waukegan, Illinois, and Deltona, Florida. The citations were released following workplace safety inspections performed by OSHA last summer. Three other facilities remain under investigation.

The citations come just one week after the National Labor Relations Board certified the Amazon Labor Union as an official union.