Amazon recently expanded its payroll to include more than 6,000 seasonal workers across Pennsylvania to help with distribution, transportation and order shipments over the holiday season.
Apparently, the expansion for seasonal workers is an initiative across the United States and Canada to keep up with the increasing demand for gift shopping online instead of in stores. However, this expansion also comes after a year of increasing injuries for Amazon employees.
Are seasonal workers at risk?
Unfortunately, seasonal workers in Amazon warehouses are just are vulnerable to workplace accidents as any other employee. Some of the most common accidents include:
- Slip and falls
- Equipment malfunctions
- Chemical spills
- Electrocutions
- Cuts or wounds
- Improper lifting
The only benefit is seasonal workers do fall under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, where your employer provides compensation for your medical expenses and lost income due to a work-related injury.
However, the crucial aspect for season workers is sometimes seasonal workers seek a workers’ compensation claim through their temp agency, but you have to ask your employer or the agency itself about what their reporting process is.
You definitely do not want to wait to report any injuries at work because there is a time limit to notify your employer in Pennsylvania; it is 120 days. After the report, you need to seek medical attention and ensure you have proof of the severity of the injuries.
Your best strategy is to read through your employment contract to determine who is responsible for your workers’ compensation and follow that process to the detail to ensure a low risk of denial from the employer’s insurance company.