New York’s warehouse workers face higher injury rates than employees in any other sector.
In recent years, they’ve been hurt more often and more severely than before, according to new federal data. And they reported more than one injury per nine workers in 2023 — more than double the rate of warehouse workers nationally.
As e-commerce has driven rapid growth in the industry — which added tens of thousands of jobs around the state in recent years — labor advocates are pressing Governor Kathy Hochul to sign a bill that would require warehouses to develop plans to keep workers safe. The legislation was delivered to Hochul on Thursday, and she has 10 days to sign or veto it (or allow it to become law without signing it).
The legislation aims to address “ergonomic hazards” in warehouses — situations that require someone to assume an awkward posture, repeat a motion, or take inadequate breaks — which are responsible for nearly half of all warehouse injuries. It’s backed by unions and labor groups, including the Alliance for a Greater New York, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, and multiple Teamster locals.
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