Senate Report: Amazon Prioritized Productivity Over Warehouse Safety

A Senate report alleges that Amazon dismissed internal safety recommendations to prioritize productivity. The 160-page document, released by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, stems from an investigation led by Senator Bernie Sanders into Amazon's warehouse safety practices.

The report highlights two internal Amazon studies linking workplace injuries to task repetition and speed. A 2021 study, Project Elderwand, recommended limiting repetitive movements and mandating breaks for overworked employees. Amazon chose not to adopt these changes, citing technical limitations.

A separate 2020 study, Project Soteria, identified policies like extended breaks and relaxed productivity demands during the pandemic as effective in reducing injuries. Despite these findings, Amazon rejected the recommendations, citing potential productivity losses.

Amazon pushed back against the report, claiming it used outdated and misleading information. The company disputed the studies' conclusions, arguing they lacked validity and context. A spokesperson pointed to a recent legal case in Washington state that ruled in Amazon's favor regarding similar allegations.

The report also accuses Amazon of manipulating injury data to appear safer than it is. While Amazon provided extensive documentation, the Senate committee claimed the company withheld key information connecting worker injuries to productivity demands.

Senator Sanders has criticized Amazon's practices, calling for better protections for workers. Amazon maintains that its safety programs are robust and that the Senate report misrepresents the company's efforts to ensure worker well-being.