This week, Amazon is rolling out the discounts for its Prime Big Deal Days, a biannual event promising deals on everything from electronics to appliances, with its signature two-day shipping. But for the workers picking products off the shelves and packing them to their destinations, these days are not only grueling, they’re dangerous.
Amazon warehouse work is not easy. Competitive performance quotas pressure workers to move quickly to avoid a write-up. Warehouse floors can be massive, and traveling the length of a football field to use the bathroom or take a break can be more trouble than it’s worth. Standing for long hours while picking and packing products can mean soreness and muscle strains. And when worksites are designed to process thousands of items a day, safety often goes by the wayside.
The numbers don’t lie: In New York, one in 11 warehouse workers gets hurt on the job every year, with Amazon workers injured 37% more often than workers at other companies, according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration data. Injuries are also getting more severe, with 89% requiring missed days or a job transfer. And during major shopping seasons, these injuries can multiply.
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