Why GAO Did This Study
To quickly fill orders, e-commerce warehouses and companies that deliver these orders to consumers (last-mile delivery), use technology to increase productivity and monitor worker performance. Worker safety advocates, employees, and researchers have raised questions about whether employers’ use of technology, along with performance expectations, may increase the risk of injuries in this rapidly growing sector.
GAO was asked to review how technology affects worker safety at e-commerce warehouses and last-mile delivery companies. This report examines the types and causes of injuries at these workplaces, and the extent to which OSHA identifies and addresses ergonomic hazards, among other objectives.
GAO reviewed relevant federal laws, regulations, and guidance. GAO analyzed BLS data from 2018 through 2022 on injuries (the most recent available). GAO also analyzed OSHA inspection data and interviewed headquarters officials and staff (compliance officers and managers) at six area offices. GAO conducted nongeneralizable surveys of workers and interviewed 15 stakeholder groups and five employers knowledgeable about safety issues and technology in these industries.
Recommendations
GAO is making five recommendations, including that OSHA improve its injury data, training, and guidance on ergonomic hazards, and evaluate its inspection program. OSHA generally agreed but raised some concerns discussed in the report.
