OSHA opens investigation into Amazon warehouse collapse

Federal officials are opening an investigation into the deadly collapse of part of an Amazon’s delivery center in Edwardsville, Illinois, in a tornado Friday, as the e-commerce giant said that the newly built warehouse didn’t appear to have any structural deficiencies that contributed to the disaster.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Monday that it will investigate whether any violations of workplace safety or health regulations contributed to the collapse of the 1.1 million-square-foot delivery station that killed six workers.

The delivery center, which Amazon refers to as DL14, was built within the last 18 months, making it one of Amazon’s newest buildings in the St. Louis region, adding to multiple distribution centers the company has operated on the complex since 2016.

One employee was injured and 45 were rescued safely. The facility employs around 190 people, most of whom are contracted delivery drivers.

Amazon officials said Monday that in addition to being new, it also met local codes for construction and had a shelter area.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2021/12/13/osha-amazon-warehouse-collapse-building-codes.html