US Department of Labor allies with Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Pennsylvania OSHA Consultation to protect warehousing, storage workers

Alliance Participants:

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration Allentown area office
• Wage and Hour Division Philadelphia and Wilkes-Barre district offices
• Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Schnecksville
• Pennsylvania OSHA Consultation Program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana

Alliance Description: The alliance seeks to provide employers in the warehouse and material logistics industries and the public at-large with information, guidance and access to training resources to help reduce and prevent workers’ exposure to safety and health hazards. Typical industry hazards include overexertion, contact with objects and falls from elevation. The alliance also addresses laws enforced by the Department of Labor including employment of temporary workers, and seeks to help industry workers understand their rights and their employers’ responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Learn more about the alliance.

Background: In 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the warehousing and storage industry’s injury rate of 4.8 per 100 workers is higher than the U.S. average of 2.7 per 100 rate among all private industries. In addition, BLS reported 93 work-related fatalities nationally in the industry from 2017 to 2020. In August 2022, OSHA launched a five-year regional initiative in three Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia to protect workers and reduce injuries and illnesses in the warehousing, storage and distribution yards industries.

Duration: The alliance will remain in effect for two years. 

Quote: “With the rapid growth of e-commerce, the warehousing industry has expanded significantly. We look forward to partnering with our alliance members to provide information, resources and training to reduce and prevent the hazardous conditions that warehousing and storage workers continuously face every day,” said OSHA Area Director Jean Kulp, in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Through the Alliance Program, OSHA works with organizations such as trade and professional associations, labor unions, educational institutions, community and faith-based groups, and government agencies to share information about OSHA's initiatives and compliance assistance resources with workers and employers, and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities.