In a high-pressure, fast-paced environment like an Amazon Fulfilment Center, it is an absolute priority that workers are kept safe. There are a number of hazards that threaten the well-being of employees working in this environment, and these all need to be assessed and managed. The consequences of inaction are severe, and a major company like Amazon doesn’t need any bad press hitting its reputation. The post below explores the main hazards and how they are navigated to ensure everyone is protected.
Why Is Assessing Safety Hazards in Fulfilment Centers Necessary?
Without successful safety assessments in place, the workers inside the center are at risk of becoming injured or wrongful death. With so much going on including heavy machinery traffic and a high volume of employees in and out, there has to be clear control and specific investment. Insights around protective practices are essential so that everyone is kept safe and there is a minimized risk of a serious incident taking place. The risk of not doing so is far too grave as an employee could be catastrophically injured and the center may be shut down.
Common Safety Issues To Navigate
There are common safety issues that occur at every fulfillment center in California. From physical hazards to mental health concerns, employees need a comprehensive approach to mitigating these risks.
Physical Hazards
Physical hazards include falling debris, untidy workspaces, and proper training to avoid strains and injuries while working.
Material Handling
Sometimes, employees may be required to handle chemicals and other dangerous materials. These hazardous substances pose a threat to life and need professional guidance every step of the way.
Employee Well-Being
If an employee is coming into work with depression or anxiety (or similar), they are at risk. It is difficult to work when your mental health is suffering, and they will need extra support to ensure their safety remains a top priority.
Fire Safety
Fires can happen anywhere, and there is always a chance of one breaking out in a busy area like this. Whether it is from untidy areas or electrical faults, everything should be assessed on a regular basis.
How to Assess Hazards
There are potential hazards everywhere, so how are these assessed? It is non-negotiable that there are specific protocols and protective plans in place to ensure the safety of staff within the center environment. These are the most common methods for approaching and mitigating common hazards.
PPE
Protective equipment and clothing such as goggles, gloves, high-vis, and sturdy footwear is a number one priority. Workers should have access to whatever they need to feel safe while working in the center, and it is important to provide it for every single person coming in to do a shift. What each person needs will vary depending on what they are doing during their work hours and the level of protection they require.
Planning For Emergencies
When an emergency does happen, as is the way of life sometimes, if there is no plan for such an event then it could get worse very quickly. Amazon has a few protocols in place for this type of thing and it depends on the emergency taking place as to which action needs to happen. Every employee should receive the proper training for each potential emergency whether that is a fire, chemical spill, or critical injury.
Virtual Protection
There is also a pressing need in 2023 for virtual protection as well which means each employee has the right to their information being stored efficiently and kept private. Anything that can be safeguarded, will be, and if it isn’t, then Amazon is liable for this. So many things are being digitized and automated, and it doesn’t take much for a cybercriminal to infiltrate the system.
Enhanced Training Programs
Each employee working in the center must have sufficient training. This training cannot be a one-off event and instead should continue throughout their time as an employee. Amazon has clear initiatives in place in this area, and they tend to maintain a high standard across the board. However, if you do not feel as though you were sufficiently supported in learning the ropes or having questions answered, and you were injured you can seek help. Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys are top personal injury attorneys and we will talk to you about the concerns and see what can be done.
Property Management
It is also essential that the center building is well looked after. Anything that could cause a hazard like a slip and fall incident should be immediately taken care of, and employees need to report potential problems as soon as they are spotted. The building owner has an obligation to ensure everything is up to a high standard and nobody is put at risk from stepping through the doors.
Auditing
Complete safety audits are a necessary part of running a successful, safety-focused fulfillment center too. These should take place regularly, at least once per month, and cover everything from checking in with employees to machine and general maintenance.
Who Is Responsible When Things Go Wrong?
The safety of Amazon employees is a responsibility that the entire company holds. It is passed down from the CEO to management in particular centers, but the business must provide the means for enhancing protection within these centers. If there has not been sufficient training on offer, or potential hazards are not dealt with correctly in a timely manner, the fault will lie with the powers higher up. Sometimes, it is the case that management leads within specific centers are liable and this is all up for discussion when you talk to your personal injury accident attorney in our team.
Victims of improper safety handling at Amazon fulfillment centers in California can reach out for expert advice. There may be a case for compensation, and it is always worth exploring. You may be facing time off work, worried about lost income, and struggling with your mental health in post-accident life, and these are all worth discussing with our team.
Make an appointment at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys today to discuss your case. Or contact us through our monitored telephone line to speak with the team about what happens next.
