The deaths of three Amazon workers at New Jersey warehouses in 2022 have advocates seeking answers – and seeking support for stronger rules about heat safety at work. 

Exposure to extreme heat can cause injuries and heat-related illnesses. If you’ve suffered issues from heat exposure at work, speak to an experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options. 

Are Deaths at Amazon Warehouses in NJ Tied to Heat?

Advocates recently filed a lawsuit in federal court, seeking to require the US Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to comply with a Freedom of Information Act records request. The request focuses on information surrounding the deaths of three Amazon workers, all of which occurred in 2022. 

These deaths include a worker who died at Amazon’s fulfillment center in Carteret while filling orders during Amazon’s Prime Day sale. They also include a worker who died at the Robbinsville center after falling from a stepladder and suffering a head injury and a worker who died at Amazon’s delivery facility in Monroe. 

At least two of the deaths occurred during a heat wave in the summer of 2022, prompting investigators to ask whether the deaths were heat-related. Amazon has denied that the deaths were heat-related, noting that OSHA closed its investigations without holding Amazon accountable for any wrongdoing. 

Heat Safety Rules and Risks

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently proposed a new rule of “heat injury illness and prevention in outdoor and indoor work settings.” The rule would apply to all employers in the United States.

Under the proposed rule, employers would be required to create a written heat injury and illness prevention plan, implement heat injury precautions and training, and perform regular program reviews and updates to ensure that preventive measures are working as intended. The rule would apply whenever employees are exposed to a heat index higher than 80F for more than fifteen minutes in any hour while at work. 

Currently, there is no single federal standard for protecting workers from heat injury or illness. Instead, each state is left to set its own standards, if any. While states like California, Minnesota, and Oregon have created heat safety standards for employers within their states, other states – including New Jersey – have no such state standards. 

New Jersey employees who suffer heat-related injuries or illness at work can seek workers’ compensation, however. These employees must follow the same steps they would take to report any work-related injury or illness. 

What To Do If You Suffer a Heat-Related Injury or Illness at Work

If you suffer a heat-related illness or injury at work: 

• Get help first. Move to a cooler area, remove heavy layers, drink water, and seek medical attention if needed. Call 911 or have a co-worker or supervisor do so if necessary. 
• Report your injury or illness to your employer. You can report your situation verbally or in writing, to your supervisor or anyone in charge at your worksite. In an emergency, your supervisor may already know there’s a problem. It’s wise to speak to your supervisor as soon as you can to ensure everyone understands what happened. 
• Follow your doctor’s instructions. In an emergency, you may be taken to the nearest emergency room. In a non-emergency, ask your supervisor for a list of approved doctors for workers’ compensation. See a provider on this list and follow their instructions. Prompt medical care documents your injuries and puts you on a path to recovery.
• Save all your paperwork. Keep copies of all the paperwork related to your injury or illness. This may include doctor’s notes, forms you file with your employer, and bills or receipts for medical care, medications, or other items. This paperwork can help you build your claim for workers’ compensation. 
• Speak to an attorney. Many workers’ compensation claims proceed smoothly. If your claim is delayed or denied, however, talk to an attorney right away. A lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you need. 

Talk To An Experienced New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

Fighting for the benefits you need can be tough. It’s even tougher when you’re also struggling to recover from a serious injury – or when you’re dealing with the devastating loss of a loved one in a work-related accident. 

The experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation attorneys at Petrillo & Goldberg are here to help. To learn more, contact us today by phone or via our online form to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.