OSHA Opens Probe Into Fatal Amazon Warehouse Collapse in Illinois
The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the circumstances around the collapse of an Amazon warehouse during a storm on Friday night which led to the deaths of six workers.
Police have confirmed that the workers were killed when the Edwardsville, Illinois Amazon warehouse buckled under the strength of a devastating storm. According to the National Weather Service, the area was hit by a tornado at around 8:30 pm CST on Friday. Peak winds were estimated to have reached 150 miles per hour.
Other US states, including Kentucky and Arkansas, have also been hit by tornadoes in the past week.
OSHA has six months to complete its investigation, issue citations, and propose monetary penalties if it is found that workplace safety and/or regulations were violated by the company. This is according to an email from Scott Allen, a US Department of Labor regional director for public affairs.
A spokesperson for Amazon, Kelly Nantel, said that Amazon would cooperate with the investigations. “OSHA investigates all workplace fatalities and we are supporting them,” Nantel said.
