21 February 2020

The GMB union has called for MPs to launch an inquiry into conditions at the warehouses of online retailer Amazon after hundreds of workers were seriously injured.

Between 2016/17 and 2018/19, 622 reports were made to the Health and Safety Executive of workplace injuries at Amazon warehouses that prevented victims from being able to work for at least seven days, or were one of a specificed list of injuries including fractures and burning.

These figures were released following a series of Freedom of Information Act requests by the GMB to local authorities across the UK, which revealed that the number of workers hurt is rising by the year.

In London, an accident investigation found that “the main root cause” of an incident in which worker was knocked unconscious and stopped breathing after a head injury was “failing to provide a safe working environment”.

Mick Rix, GMB National Officer, said:

“Amazon are spending millions on PR campaigns trying to persuade people its warehouses are great places to work.

“But the facts are there for all to see -things are getting worse.

“Hundreds of stricken Amazon workers are needing urgent medical attention. Conditions are hellish.

“We’ve tried over and over again to get Amazon to talk to use to try and improve safety for workers. But enough is enough – it’s now time for a full parliamentary inquiry.”