Occupational safety officials have ordered Amazon to review its more stringent weather policy and take new precautions after six workers died in the collapse of a warehouse in Illinois.
A Letter A report released Tuesday by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration revealed problems with the Amazon being hit by a tornado en route to Edwardsville in December. The megaphone used to warn workers of bad weather was locked and inaccessible, and some workers told OSHA investigators they had not been told where to take refuge in such a situation.
But officials said Amazon met “minimum federal safety guidelines” for bad weather and chose to fine the tech giant for death. All six dead workers worked with outside contractors delivering to Amazon. The seventh worker was seriously injured.
“Amazon and all employers must pass the minimum requirements,” OSHA chief Doug Parker told reporters. “Employers should have a plan that protects all workers and all property owners when disaster strikes.”
Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said the tornado was “intense and unexpected” and that “our team did the right thing and brought people to the shelter as soon as the warning was issued.”
“The OSHA investigation found no irregularities or citations, but we continue to work to keep up with the news and improve security measures, and we have already begun conducting additional security exercises and emergency training,” Nantel said.
According to a “threat” letter sent to Amazon, executives began telling workers to go to the shelter about 10 minutes before the tornado hit. There was a toilet on the north side of the building at the shelter’s designated location, but 10 employees, including five dead, were trapped in the bathroom at the south end of the facility, near the gas station.
“Amazon and all employers must pass the minimum requirements.”
– Doug Parker, head of OSHA
Aaron Pridy, OSHA Territory Director, said the tornado hit a nearby warehouse, removed the roof and collapsed the west wall. Pridy said investigators could not determine why the workers were there, or why they were told to enter the tub (in this case, incorrectly), or why it was the most logical place. where they will upload. Room structures.
“We know there’s confusion about where to report it,” said Pride, who wrote the letter to Amazon. “It’s critical to emphasize the importance of planning ahead.”
Pride wrote that Amazon’s emergency response plan was not adapted to weather events that could affect Edwardville. Rather than “according to specific instructions,” the plan is made generalized and includes scenarios that are unlikely to be implemented on this side like a hurricane. Amazon’s plan indicated warehouse evacuation routes, but did not specify the location of the shelter.
But Pride also said Amazon should not be sued. OSHA does not have safety standards for particularly severe weather conditions, but it can fine the company known as the “General Duty A clause that broadly states that employers have an obligation to protect workers from injury.
Amazon responded “as we expect from any employer,” Pride said. “But we have identified some possibilities for Amazon to improve its response plan in difficult weather conditions.”
OSHA officials said Amazon needs to make sure everyone, including contractors, will participate in the drills in bad weather and know where to place the shelter. They also said Amazon should make written plans with site -specific guidelines for events like tornadoes and not just fires.
This story was updated in the Amazon comments.
Source: Huffpost
