A Crazy--and Deadly--2014 for Amazon So Far

Amazon is in the news again, this week, and not just for the Hachette conflict, or even their new Prime music-streaming capabilities, or even their new AT&T-carried smartphone. No, this time it's about something a little more morbid.

According to GalleyCat, Amazon's warehouses are under investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor following two worker deaths since December:

The U.S. Department of Labor is investigating the deaths of two temporary workers at Amazon warehouses since December 2013. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited five companies for violations including: the contractor responsible for operating the facility and four temporary staffing agencies. 

One man died after he was crushed when he got caught in a conveyor system while sorting items at an Amazon fulfillment center in New Jersey. Another person died this month at an Amazon Fulfillment Center in Pennsylvania. 

“Temporary staffing agencies and host employers are jointly responsible for the safety and health of temporary employees. These employers must assess the work site to ensure that workers are adequately protected from potential hazards,” stated Patricia Jones, director of OSHA’s Avenel Area Office in a press release. “It is essential that employers protect all workers from job hazards — both temporary and permanent workers.” 

See the original post HERE

Oh, Amazon. It is not the year to be you. Seems 2014 is kicking more butts than just mine!