Working conditions at Amazon warehouses and fulfilment centres are notoriously severe, and the latest action being taken by the company does not paint it in the best light.
To that end, Amazon has chosen to install new air conditioning equipment at a New Jersey warehouse (EWR9) where a worker died while working on Prime Day on 13th July.
The worker, named Reynaldo Mota Frias, reportedly complained to his managers that he was not feeling well while fulfilling numerous orders for Prime Day. This same day, the temperature was recored at 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees celsius), which is an issue that past workers have noted to Amazon as regards managing time spent inside of the warehouse.
According to Amazon, the move to install new air conditioning equipment is completely unrelated to the death of Frias. “Our climate control systems constantly measure the temperature in our buildings, and our safety teams are empowered to take action to address any temperature-related issues,” spokesman Sam Stephenson told NBC News.
“He said the company takes safety precautions in warm weather, always provides access to water stations — not just on hot days — and encourages employees to take breaks to hydrate,” the outlet.
Whether that is indeed the case is up for debate, but recent stories from disgruntled and overworked employees paint a different picture, with reports noting a relentless fulfilment schedule that forces some workers to resort to urinating in bottles to keep pace with orders.
“Amazon is an agency that reacts to situations. They’re not proactive,” an unnamed employee working at the EWR9 facility told NBC News. “They wait till something happens and then they act like they’re doing something,” they added.
While Amazon contends the new equipment is unrelated to the death, it is difficult to reach a different conclusion.
With the company pushing ahead for its Cape Town-based facility despite continued protests and legal action, here’s hoping these warehouses are appropriately fitted with air conditioning and worker time is better managed.
