Employers are legally responsible for warehouse employees’ health and safety, according to Gary Latta, associate director of health and safety at software provider BrightHR.
Speaking to HR magazine, he said: “Warehouses are busy working environments, with many work processes happening all at once. Health and safety law puts a duty on the employer to protect employee health, safety and welfare.”
A freedom of information request submitted by The Observer revealed ambulance call-outs related to concerns such as chest pains, strokes, breathing problems, traumatic injuries, miscarriages and attempted suicide.
Read more: How can technology keep frontline workers safe?
An Amazon spokesperson told the Observer that the “vast majority” of ambulance call-outs were related to pre-existing conditions rather than work-related incidents.
HR should make adjustments to the work of warehouse employees who have pre-existing conditions, Latta added.
“If employees have existing conditions, talk to them about their role and what it involves,” he continued.
“Clear and transparent communication is always the first step. You’re expected by law to make reasonable adjustments to their work in order to reduce the risk.
“In some cases, that may mean changing their role or moving them elsewhere, but in most situations, you can reach a compromise.”
Read more: Poor workplace training leading to fatalities
HR should ensure health and safety protocol is enacted throughout the whole organisation, Cate Walter, director at health and safety consultancy Rhino Safety, told HR magazine.
She said: “Employees should never feel that their health, safety and welfare is compromised for the sake of cost or convenience, and they should be encouraged to have positive responsibility for the safety of themselves and their colleagues.
“A positive and proactive health and safety culture is one of the key ways to reduce accidents and health risks. This should be promoted from the highest level and throughout the rest of the organisation.
“Having thorough health and safety documentation and processes is one thing, but ultimately employees should feel empowered to identify when things are unsafe and escalate it through management for timely remedial action.”
