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Workplace Safety and Health: OSHA Should Take Steps to Better Identify and Address Ergonomic Hazards at Warehouses and Delivery Companies | U.S. GAO
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Publicly Released: Oct 08, 2024. </span> </div> </section> <section class="social-share"> <ul> <li> <a href="#" class="icon-facebook js-fb-share" data-fb-link="https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-106413" title="Share on Facebook" rel="noopener" aria-label="Facebook"> <span class="fab fa-facebook-f"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="#" class="icon-twitter js-tw-share" data-tw-message="Check out this report: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-106413" title="Share on Twitter" rel="noopener" aria-label="Twitter"> <span class="fab fa-twitter"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="#" class="icon-linkedin js-linkedin-share" data-li-link="https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-106413" title="Share on LinkedIn" aria-label="LinkedInLinkedIn"> <span class="fab fa-linkedin-in"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="#" class="icon-email js-email-share" aria-label="Send email" title="Share by email" data-email-link="mailto:?subject=Check out this link from GAO.gov&body=GAO.gov link: 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class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--retirement--services-older-adults" data-element="js-endpoint-retirement--services-older-adults">Services for Older Adults</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1493 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--fiscal-future--local-drivers-trends" data-element="js-endpoint-fiscal-future--local-drivers-trends">State and Local-Level Drivers and Trends</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1492 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--fiscal-future-_local-fiscal-projections" data-element="js-endpoint-fiscal-future-_local-fiscal-projections">State and Local Fiscal Projections</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1490 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--fiscal-future--how-government-borrows" data-element="js-endpoint-fiscal-future--how-government-borrows">Federal Borrowing</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1491 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--fiscal-future--managing-the-debt" data-element="js-endpoint-fiscal-future--managing-the-debt">Managing the Debt</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-2426 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--fiscal-future--managing-the-debt" data-element="js-endpoint-Funding-Provisions">Summary of Funding Provisions</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1488 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--fiscal-future--auditing" data-element="js-endpoint-fiscal-future--auditing">Auditing the Government's Books</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1489 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--fiscal-future--unpacking-financial-report" data-element="js-endpoint-fiscal-future--unpacking-financial-report">Unpacking the Financial Report</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--highlights" data-element="js-endpoint-highlights">Highlights</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-891 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--explore-actions" data-element="js-endpoint-explore-actions">Recommendations</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-886 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--background" data-element="js-endpoint-background">Background</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1791 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--fiscal-future--managing-the-debt" data-element="js-endpoint-about-this-work2">About This Work</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1496 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--duplication" data-element="js-endpoint-about-this-work">About This Work</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-6 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--trends" data-element="js-endpoint-trends">Trends</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--fiscal-future--managing-the-debt" data-element="jump-to-endpoint-csf">About the Center</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-11 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--why-high-risk" data-element="js-endpoint-why-high-risk">Why It's High Risk</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-16 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--what-remains" data-element="js-endpoint-what-remains">What Remains To Be Done</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-21 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--key-reports" data-element="js-endpoint-key-reports">Key Reports</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--recent-reports" data-element="js-endpoint-covid-reports">Newest COVID-Related Reports</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-2606 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--science-ai-use" data-element="js-endpoint-science-ai-use">AI Use Cases</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-876 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--flood-insurance" data-element="js-endpoint-flood-insurance">Flood Insurance</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--recent-reports" data-element="js-endpoint-pandemic-reports">Past Pandemic-Related Reports</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1666 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--recent-reports" data-element="js-endpoint-cares-act">CARES Act Oversight Reports</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1826 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--recent-reports" data-element="js-endpoint-covid-reports-all">All COVID-19 Reports</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1637 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--fraud" data-element="js-endpoint-fraud">Report Suspected Fraud</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1796 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--explore-actions" data-element="js-endpoint-Subjects2">Subjects</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-notified">How to Get Notified</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1686 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--recent-reports" data-element="js-endpoint-Past-Racial-Inequality-Reports">Past Reports</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-881 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--public-health-threats" data-element="js-endpoint-public-health-threats">Public Health Threats</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-2596 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link" data-element="js-endpoint-summary-funds">Explore the FY 2022 and 2023 Funds</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-3206 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link" data-element="js-endpoint-summary-funds22">Status of FY22 Projects</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-lessons">Lessons Learned</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-2421 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--recent-reports" data-element="js-endpoint-agency-reports">Agency Reports</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-26 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--recent-reports" data-element="js-endpoint-recent-reports">Recent Reports</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-31 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--recommendations" data-element="js-endpoint-recommendations">Recommendations</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1411 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--supplemental-material" data-element="js-endpoint-supplemental-material">Supplemental Material</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-36 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--full-report" data-element="js-endpoint-full-report">Full Report</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-41 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--additional-data" data-element="js-endpoint-additional-data">Additional Data</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-61 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--view-decision" data-element="js-endpoint-view-decision">View Decision</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1406 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--downloads" data-element="js-endpoint-downloads">Downloads</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-896 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--previous-actions" data-element="js-endpoint-previous-actions">Previously Identified Actions</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-46 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--related-pages" data-element="js-endpoint-related-pages">Related Pages</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-51 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--associated-agencies" data-element="js-endpoint-associated-agencies">Associated Agencies</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-901 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--tough-choices" data-element="js-endpoint-tough-choices">Tough Choices and Opportunities Ahead</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-906 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--americas-fiscal-future-key-areas" data-element="js-endpoint-americas-fiscal-future-key-areas">Americas Fiscal Future Key Areas</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-911 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--retirement-sec-key-areas" data-element="js-endpoint-retirement-security-key-areas">Retirement Security Key Areas</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-916 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--current-list" data-element="js-endpoint-current-list">Current List</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-921 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--about-high-risk-list" data-element="js-endpoint-about-high-risk-list">About The High Risk List</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-926 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--area-ratings" data-element="js-endpoint-area-ratings">Area Ratings</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-931 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--previous-high-risk-products" data-element="js-endpoint-previous-high-risk-products">Previous High Risk Products</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-search-vacancies" class="jump-to-link js-link link--search-vacancies">Search Federal Vacancies</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-past-vacancies" class="jump-to-link js-link link--past-vacancies">Past Federal Vacancies</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-violation-letters" class="jump-to-link js-link link--violation-letters">Violation Letters</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1786 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--yellow book" data-element="js-endpoint-yellowbook">About the Yellow Book</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-956 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--advisory-council" data-element="js-endpoint-advisory-council">Advisory Council</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-2601 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--related-resources" data-element="js-endpoint-related-resources">Related Resources</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-961 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--comment-letters" data-element="js-endpoint-comment-letters">Comment Letters</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-951 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--related-publications" data-element="js-endpoint-related-publications">Related Publications</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1661 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--contacts" data-element="js-endpoint-contacts-resources">Contacts and Resources</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--fiscal-future--managing-the-debt" data-element="js-endpoint-major-issues">Major Issues Facing the Nation</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--fiscal-future--unpacking-financial-report" data-element="js-endpoint-gov-challenges">Meeting Strategic Challenges</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--resources" data-element="js-endpoint-addl-resources">Additional Resources</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-946 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--resources" data-element="js-endpoint-resources">Resources</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1901 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-MissionTeams">Mission Teams</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1906 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-OperationsandStaffOffices ">Operations and Staff Offices </a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1911 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-OrganizationChart ">Organization Chart </a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--key-reports" data-element="js-endpoint-WhyGAO">Why a Career at GAO?</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1916 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-AmIQualified">Am I Qualified?</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1926 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-CompanyCulture">Company Culture</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1931 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-ReasonableAccommodations">Reasonable Accommodations</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-2406 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-VideoGallery">Video Gallery</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-2431 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-PaidInternships">Paid Internships</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1941 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-StudentVolunteers">Student Volunteers</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1951 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-ProfessionalDevelopmentProgram">Professional Development Program</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1956 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-Advancement">Advancement</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1961 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-ExecutiveCandidateAssessmentandDevelopmentProgram">Executive Candidate Program</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1981 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-SummerAssociates">Summer Associates</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1971 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-Externships">Externships</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-1976 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" data-element="js-endpoint-Benefits">Benefits</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--contacts" data-element="js-endpoint-contacts2">Contacts</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-3211 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--pr-letters" data-element="js-endpoint-pr-letters">Priority Open Recommendation Letters</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-3216 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--transition--key-resources" data-element="js-endpoint-transition--key-resources">Key Resources</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-3221 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--transition--major-issues" data-element="js-endpoint-transition--major-issues">Major Issues</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-3231 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--downloadable-resources" data-element="js-endpoint-downloadable-resources">Downloadable Resources</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu-icon menu-icon-56 nav-item"> <div class="item-container"> <div class="item-inner"> <a href="" class="jump-to-link js-link link--contacts" data-element="js-endpoint-contacts">GAO Contacts</a> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div><div id="block-gao-uswds-content" class="block block-system block-system-main-block" data-entity-id="system_main_block" data-entity-type="block"> <div class="node node--type-product node--view-mode-full"> <div class="node__content" class="node__content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-fast-facts-description field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <h2 class="field__label">Fast Facts</h2> <div class="field__item"> <html><body><p class="gao-ff-text">E-commerce retail sales depend on workers in warehouses to pack and ship items and on workers who take items from distribution centers to people's doors. As these sales have risen, so has the number of injuries among these workers.</p> <p class="gao-ff-text">Federal data shows that the most common injuries are from overexertion鈥攅.g., working while fatigued or moving unsafely while lifting or bending.</p> <p class="gao-ff-text">The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has increased its efforts to prevent overexertion, but can do more. For example, OSHA inspectors need updated guidance to use when identifying and assessing overexertion hazards.</p> <p class="gao-ff-text">Our <a href="#summary_recommend">recommendations</a> address this and more.</p> <p class="gao-ff-graphic-title">Wearable devices can help monitor worker fatigue.</p> <p class="gao-ff-graphic"><img alt="A wearable device monitoring a person's health" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="def25c1d-a8d1-43b6-87df-e2f3b4e59b74" src="/assets/extracts/4f5f4d9a7f9f1c93646077f0e93dd8c0/FastFacts_106413_jb.png" width="650" height="406" loading="lazy"></p></body> </html></div> </div> <a id="summary" class="visually-hidden focusable highlights-anchor">Skip to Highlights</a> <div class="js-endpoint-highlights clearfix text-formatted field field--name-product-highlights-custom field--type-text-long field--label-above quickedit-field"> <h2 class="field__label">Highlights</h2> <div class="field__item"> <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"> <html><body><h2>What GAO Found</h2> <p>Three major hazards caused most of the injuries and illnesses in general warehousing (which includes e-commerce warehouses) and the companies that deliver these orders to consumers (“last-mile delivery”), according to Bureau of Statistics (BLS) data. Overexertion and bodily reaction, the most common hazard (see figure), can cause musculoskeletal disorders, such as tendonitis or back pain. The transportation and warehousing sector (which includes e-commerce warehouses and last-mile delivery) had the highest serious injury and illness rate of all 19 sectors in 2022, with an estimated 3.8 cases per 100 workers, according to BLS data.</p> <p class="h-Fig-Table_Title">Estimated Serious Injuries and Illnesses by Cause, 2021 and 2022</p> <p><img alt="Estimated Serious Injuries and Illnesses by Cause, 2021 and 2022" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c40999eb-049c-4cdc-b340-b438fbe8abe0" src="/assets/extracts/5a4531a4d0361d1981820902078993a6/rId18_image2.png" /></p> <p>Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited warehouse and last-mile delivery employers for more than 2,500 workplace violations from fiscal years 2018 through 2023, 11 included ergonomic hazards, according to OSHA data. Because OSHA does not have an ergonomic standard it must use the general duty clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to cite these hazards. General duty clause citations require a high level of evidence that can make issuing them a challenge, according to OSHA officials. OSHA staff described other challenges to identifying, assessing, and addressing ergonomic hazards, including compliance officers (1) having difficulty determining if ergonomic hazards caused injuries reported on forms, (2) receiving little training on ergonomic hazards, and (3) relying on unclear ergonomic guidance. By addressing these issues OSHA may be better able to identify and address ergonomic hazards and more fully protect workers from harm.</p> <p>In fiscal year 2024, OSHA implemented an inspection program to better protect workers from hazards at warehouses and other worksites, including general warehouses and last-mile delivery companies. The program requires compliance officers to determine if ergonomic hazards exist and, if so, to take appropriate enforcement action. According to officials, OSHA will review this program annually, focusing on quantitative outcomes like the number of establishments inspected and hazards identified. Once OSHA has taken steps to improve how it identifies and addresses ergonomic hazards, it should evaluate if this program is more fully protecting workers from such hazards. Such an evaluation will allow OSHA to assess: (1) the efficacy of its efforts in identifying and addressing ergonomic hazards and (2) if and how it may improve these efforts to better protect warehouse and delivery workers from ergonomic hazards.</p> <h2>Why GAO Did This Study</h2> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> </img></body></html> </div> </div> <a id="summary_recommend" class="focusable rec-anchor"></a> <section > <h2>Recommendations</h2> <div class="js-endpoint-recommendations clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-recommendations-intro field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"> <p>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.</p> <p></p></div> <section class="view--recommendations--block-1"> <div class="view--recommendations--inner"> <h2>Recommendations for Executive Action</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div data-entity-id="recommendations" data-entity-type="view" class="view--recommendations--block-1 view-recommendations js-view-dom-id-49924d9a370ee5a1ca7950dcb402b81f8a05bca46f97539c79f80304a7fe6bbe"> <table class="usa-table cols-3 views-table views-view-table"> <thead> <tr> <th id="view-name-table-column-1423211" class="views-field views-field-name" scope="col"><a href="?order=name&sort=asc" title="sort by Agency Affected">Agency Affected</a></th> <th id="view-field-recommendation-table-column-1423211" class="views-field views-field-field-recommendation" scope="col">Recommendation</th> <th id="view-field-status-code-table-column-1423211" class="views-field views-field-field-status-code" scope="col"><a href="?order=field_status_code&sort=asc" title="sort by Status">Status</a></th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td headers="view-name-table-column-1423211" class="views-field views-field-name">Department of Labor </td> <td headers="view-field-recommendation-table-column-1423211" class="views-field views-field-field-recommendation">The Secretary of Labor should ensure that the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health ensures that OSHA compliance officers can easily obtain data during inspections on when musculoskeletal disorders occurred. This could include adding a column for musculoskeletal injuries to OSHA recordkeeping forms. (Recommendation 1) </td> <td class="option--open views-field views-field-field-status-code" headers="view-field-status-code-table-column-1423211"><div class="status-code"> <span class="code"> <div class="gao-tooltip-button tooltip"> Open <span class='usa-tooltip tooltip-icon fa-light fa-circle-info' data-position="bottom" data-classes="width-full tablet:width-auto" title="Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned."> </span> </div> </span> </div> <div class="comment"> OSHA stated that inserting this column remains on its long-term regulatory agenda. However, OSHA also stated that completing the regulatory actions necessary to add such a column would divert resources from other current regulatory priorities. The agency also commented that it expects to receive more information on musculoskeletal and other injuries from certain employers who have been required to report case-level injury data electronically to OSHA headquarters since March 2024. We will await further updates on if or how OSHA will use this additional information during inspections. </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td headers="view-name-table-column-1423211" class="views-field views-field-name">Department of Labor </td> <td headers="view-field-recommendation-table-column-1423211" class="views-field views-field-field-recommendation">The Secretary of Labor should ensure that the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health increases training on identifying and assessing ergonomic hazards for compliance officers who inspect worksites under OSHA's National Warehouse and Distribution Center Emphasis Program. This may include making elective ergonomic courses required courses for some officers; adding new courses or ergonomic components to existing courses; or making existing courses more accessible, for example, by increasing their frequency or offering them online. (Recommendation 2) </td> <td class="option--open views-field views-field-field-status-code" headers="view-field-status-code-table-column-1423211"><div class="status-code"> <span class="code"> <div class="gao-tooltip-button tooltip"> Open <span class='usa-tooltip tooltip-icon fa-light fa-circle-info' data-position="bottom" data-classes="width-full tablet:width-auto" title="Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned."> </span> </div> </span> </div> <div class="comment"> OSHA said that some of the recommendations in our report may help better protect warehouse and delivery workers from ergonomic hazards; while other parts of the recommendations may not be practical to implement due to resource constraints. OSHA did not provide specific comments on this recommendation: we await further information from the agency. </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td headers="view-name-table-column-1423211" class="views-field views-field-name">Department of Labor </td> <td headers="view-field-recommendation-table-column-1423211" class="views-field views-field-field-recommendation">The Secretary of Labor should ensure that the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health review and make needed changes to OSHA's internal and publicly available guidance that compliance officers and employers use to identify, assess, and address ergonomic hazards. This may include clarifying existing guidance and providing more current, industry-specific guidance. (Recommendation 3) </td> <td class="option--open views-field views-field-field-status-code" headers="view-field-status-code-table-column-1423211"><div class="status-code"> <span class="code"> <div class="gao-tooltip-button tooltip"> Open <span class='usa-tooltip tooltip-icon fa-light fa-circle-info' data-position="bottom" data-classes="width-full tablet:width-auto" title="Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned."> </span> </div> </span> </div> <div class="comment"> OSHA stated that it plans to review its publicly available ergonomic guidance in fiscal year 2025, updating it when warranted and when resources are available to do so. However, OSHA disagreed that there is a need for industry-specific ergonomic guidance for warehousing and delivery work, stating that it prioritizes industry-specific ergonomic guidance for industries with unique hazards. Our recommendation included issuing industry-specific guidance as one potential approach OSHA could pursue. As OSHA reviews its publicly available ergonomic guidance, it may wish to consider other approaches to ensure that compliance officers and employers have access to improved, updated guidance that allows them to identify, assess, and address ergonomic hazards. </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td headers="view-name-table-column-1423211" class="views-field views-field-name">Department of Labor </td> <td headers="view-field-recommendation-table-column-1423211" class="views-field views-field-field-recommendation">The Secretary of Labor should ensure that the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health conducts timely follow-up with establishments that were issued an ergonomic hazard alert letter, as required by OSHA policy, to determine if establishments have taken corrective actions. This may include regional offices developing formal procedures for tracking ergonomic hazard alert letters. (Recommendation 4) </td> <td class="option--open views-field views-field-field-status-code" headers="view-field-status-code-table-column-1423211"><div class="status-code"> <span class="code"> <div class="gao-tooltip-button tooltip"> Open <span class='usa-tooltip tooltip-icon fa-light fa-circle-info' data-position="bottom" data-classes="width-full tablet:width-auto" title="Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned."> </span> </div> </span> </div> <div class="comment"> OSHA said that some of the recommendations in our report may help better protect warehouse and delivery workers from ergonomic hazards; while other parts of the recommendations may not be practical to implement due to resource constraints. OSHA did not provide specific comments on this recommendation: we await further information from the agency. </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td headers="view-name-table-column-1423211" class="views-field views-field-name">Department of Labor </td> <td headers="view-field-recommendation-table-column-1423211" class="views-field views-field-field-recommendation">The Secretary of Labor should ensure that the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health: (1) formally evaluates how well OSHA's national emphasis program for warehouses and distribution centers helps compliance officers identify, assess, and address ergonomic hazards; and (2) determines and documents next steps to correct any deficiencies detected. (Recommendation 5) </td> <td class="option--open views-field views-field-field-status-code" headers="view-field-status-code-table-column-1423211"><div class="status-code"> <span class="code"> <div class="gao-tooltip-button tooltip"> Open <span class='usa-tooltip tooltip-icon fa-light fa-circle-info' data-position="bottom" data-classes="width-full tablet:width-auto" title="Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned."> </span> </div> </span> </div> <div class="comment"> OSHA said that some of the recommendations in our report may help better protect warehouse and delivery workers from ergonomic hazards; while other parts of the recommendations may not be practical to implement due to resource constraints. OSHA did not provide specific comments on this recommendation: we await further information from the agency. </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> </div> <div class="view-all"> <a href="#" class="button">See All 5 Recommendations</a> </div> </div> </section> </section> <section class="js-endpoint-full-report full-reports-group"> <h2>Full Report</h2> <div class="field-group-content-wrapper"> <div class="field field--name-field-full-reports field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><figure class="media media--view-mode-teaser media--type-file file-type--PDF file-mime--application-pdf"> <a href="/assets/gao-24-106413-highlights.pdf" target="_blank"> <div class="field field--name-field-link-label field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Highlights Page (1 page)</div> </a> </figure> </div> <div class="field__item"><figure class="media media--view-mode-teaser media--type-file file-type--PDF file-mime--application-pdf"> <a 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