Sanders Launches Senate Investigation Into Amazon’s ‘Dangerous And Illegal Conditions’

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has announced a Senate investigation into what he calls “the dangerous and illegal conditions” at Amazon facilities. Known to be a vocal critic of the tech giant, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions chairman took to Twitter to inform the public of his move.

“Amazon is one of the most valuable companies in the world owned by Jeff Bezos, one of the richest men in the world. Amazon should be the safest place in America to work, not one of the most dangerous,” he wrote.

Today, I launched an investigation into Amazon's disastrous safety record. Amazon is one of the most valuable companies in the world owned by Jeff Bezos, one of the richest men in the world. Amazon should be the safest place in America to work, not one of the most dangerous.

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 20, 2023

In a comprehensive 10-page letter addressed to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, the Senator expressed concerns over the well-being of the company’s workers and its alleged violations of workplace safety laws.

The letter accused Amazon of maintaining “dangerous and illegal” conditions within its warehouses, citing physically demanding work and “aggressive productivity goals” as factors contributing to the hazardous environment.

Sanders further alleged that on-site medical clinics at Amazon facilities “undertreat and underreport” employees’ injuries, thus exacerbating the issue.

The Senator went on to claim that Amazon deliberately treats its workers as “disposable” and prioritizes its operations over their well-being. According to Sanders, the company employs monitoring techniques that pressure and intimidate workers into pushing themselves to their limits, resulting in adverse effects on their health and safety.

“The time has come for Amazon to stop willfully violating workplace safety laws with impunity and commit to changing its operations to protect the health and safety of its workers,” the letter read.

Highlighting the severity of the issue, Sanders stated that in 2022 alone, nearly 39,000 injuries were reported at Amazon warehouses. The Senator pointed out that despite claims of reduced worker injuries during the pandemic, the rates increased once pandemic precautions were lifted.

To shed light on these concerns, The HELP committee is asking Amazon to provide reasons behind the company’s elevated injury rates compared to the industry average. The committee is also seeking insights into how the company’s use of robotic equipment might contribute to workplace injuries. has until July 5th to comply with these requests.

Speaking to a reporter, Sanders confirmed that the committee is going after Amazon in its full might and the company might face a subpoena.

The committee’s investigation comes amid ongoing efforts to hold Amazon accountable for its labor practices, as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued numerous citations and hazard alert letters to the retail giant over the years. In total, there have been at least 50 citations and 30 hazard alert letters directed at the company since 2015.