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A workplace activist has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Labor (DOL) to obtain access to records related to the deaths of three Amazon employees in New Jersey warehouses in 2022.
The legal action brings fresh scrutiny of Amazon's safety record and working conditions.
The lawsuit, initiated by Daniel Schlademan of the Online to Offline Strategy Group, seeks transparency around Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigations into the deaths of workers Rafael Mota Frias, Rodger Boland, and Eric Vadinsky.
Schlademan claims the OSHA has not responded to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request submitted in August 2024, which sought detailed records of the investigations, including inspector notes, interview transcripts, and photographic evidence.
“These records are critical for understanding Amazon working conditions and informing New Jersey lawmakers on how to prevent further workplace deaths,” Schlademan stated.
Expose Amazon campaign
The lawsuit is part of the #ExposeAmazon campaign by advocacy group Warehouse Life, which focuses on improving safety standards in warehouses and highlighting workplace injury rates.
The deaths, which occurred in Amazon facilities in Carteret and Monroe, have drawn significant public attention. Amazon maintains that the OSHA conducted thorough investigations into each incident and found no fault on the company’s part.
In the case of Mota Frias, who passed away on July 13, 2022, Amazon attributed his death to a personal medical condition. The OSHA concluded in January 2023 that cardiac arrest, unrelated to work, was the cause of death. Findings for Boland and Vadinsky’s cases remain undisclosed.
“These were tragic incidents, and it’s disappointing to see them misrepresented,” said an Amazon spokesperson.
“OSHA’s investigations closed without citations or accusations of wrongdoing against Amazon, and there is no evidence linking heat conditions to these deaths.”
Workplace safety measures
The lawsuit coincides with legislative efforts in New Jersey to establish workplace heat standards, which proponents argue could have prevented incidents like those in 2022. Amazon, however, asserts it already implements comprehensive safety measures.
“Keeping employees safe is our top priority,” Amazon added. “Our warehouses are climate-controlled, and all Amazon-branded delivery vehicles are equipped with air conditioning, exceeding industry standards. We’ve also observed positive impacts from our heat management programs.”
Critics remain unconvinced, with advocacy groups pointing to broader concerns about Amazon workplace deaths and the company’s overall safety practices. The case intensifies calls for greater accountability from Amazon and government agencies alike.
The settlement of the records dispute could provide pivotal insights into the high-pressure conditions within one of the world’s largest employers. For now, the focus remains on whether transparency and legislative reform can improve workplace safety for Amazon's huge workforce.
