Deadly Collapse at Amazon Warehouse Puts Spotlight on Phone Ban

[RandySF]

An Amazon.com Inc. warehouse collapse on Friday night that killed at least six people has amplified concerns among its blue collar workforce about the return of the internet retailer’s mobile phone ban in work areas.

The warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois, near St. Louis, was reduced to rubble when a string of tornadoes ripped through six states, leaving a trail of destruction that stretched more than 200 miles. Emergency responders expect recovery efforts to continue into next week.

Amazon had for years prohibited workers from carrying their phones on warehouse floors, requiring them to leave them in vehicles or employee lockers before passing through security checks that include metal detectors. The company backed off during the pandemic, but has been gradually reintroducing it at facilities around the country.

Five Amazon employees, including two who work across the street from the building that collapsed, said they want access to information such as updates on potentially deadly weather events through their smartphones -- without interference from Amazon.

The phones can also help them communicate with emergency responders or loved ones if they are trapped, they said. “After these deaths, there is no way in hell I am relying on Amazon to keep me safe,” said one worker from a neighboring Amazon facility in Illinois. “If they institute the no cell phone policy, I am resigning.”




https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-12/deadly-collapse-at-amazon-warehouse-puts-spotlight-on-phone-ban

[RockRaven]

1. Even this article which masquerades as critical of Amazon to a minuscule and momentary degree

predictably fails to say the obvious part out loud -- FORGET CELL PHONE POLICIES, IT IS THE DUTY OF THE EMPLOYER TO ALERT EVERYONE IN THE BUILDING ABOUT TORNADO/WEATHER WARNINGS/ALERTS AND PROACTIVELY SHELTER THEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH PLANS AND INFRASTRUCTURE ALREADY IN PLACE as any proper employer would do.

You know, UNLIKE THOSE OTHER VERY SIMILARLY APPEARING MORAL MONSTROSITIES OF A COMPANY WHICH DESERVE TO BE THROWN INTO THE SUN.

[DFW]

3. This is a vital point

If there is ANY large outfit that can't be bothered to make the safety of its employees a primary concern when a deadly situation is known to be approaching, and there is time to ensure their safety, it deserves to be stripped of its license to operate at all.

For the record, I'd bet the regional or local manager is the one who deserves the blame here. National management surely told them to use their best judgment, which, in this case, was in woefully short supply.

[2naSalit]

4. +1

[Sherman A1]

2. From a thread I posted yesterday. Amazon didn't even know how many

People were in the building. I find that especially irresponsible on their part. You can be damn sure that with their high tech systems, they have the inventory down to the last penny so when it’s time for the insurance to payoff, the company will not lose out. Employees, well “we just aren’t sure, so if somebody didn’t come home from working here, give the local police department a call and maybe we can look for them.”



https://www.democraticunderground.com/10496804

[2naSalit]

5. +1

[malaise]

6. Yes - to the workers

Rec