Sarah C. Rhoads, Vice President of Global Workplace Health and Safety at Amazon, said that Associate Safety Committees play a central role in strengthening workplace safety and employee engagement. This statement was made on LinkedIn.
"Amazon Associate Safety Committees (ASCs) are one of the most impactful ways we ensure every site is #SafetoGo, every day," said C. Rhoads, Vice President, Global Workplace Health and Safety Vice President, according to LinkedIn. "Comprised of employees who are passionate about safety, ASCs partner with site leadership to share ideas and act on employee feedback to make their sites even safer. I recently had the privilege of meeting with the ASC at our Euclid, OH, site—truly impressive (and inspirational!) team energy, creativity, and dedication to looking out for each other. A big shout-out to the CLE3 ASC, WHS, and Operations teams: thank you for all that you do!"
In 2024, Amazon expanded its workplace safety programs in response to ongoing scrutiny over injury rates and federal oversight. According to About Amazon, the company increased site inspections and audits to 7.8 million globally, up from 6.3 million in 2023, and entered into a corporate-wide settlement with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to address ergonomic hazards in warehouses and delivery operations. These efforts reflect broader industry debates on balancing productivity with employee safety.
Amazon’s 2024 safety data shows measurable improvement. As reported by About Amazon, the company reduced its global Recordable Incident Rate (RIR) by about 6% and its Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR) by about 13% year over year. Over the past five years, RIR has declined by roughly 34% and LTIR by 65%, which the company cites as evidence of progress in reducing workplace injuries.
Comparative figures indicate that while Amazon’s safety trends are improving, they remain uneven. According to About Amazon, in U.S. General Warehousing, RIR improved by 27% and LTIR by 79% over five years, while in Courier & Express Delivery, RIR improved by 50% and LTIR by 74%. However, a 2024 analysis by the Strategic Organizing Center found that 38% of U.S. Amazon workers were in facilities where injury rates actually rose compared to 2023.
Rhoads is Amazon’s Vice President of Global Workplace Health & Safety, a role she assumed in 2023 after leading Amazon Global Air. According to About Amazon, she joined the company in 2011 as an operations manager and later directed fulfillment centers in the U.S. and Europe. Before joining Amazon, she served for 12 years as a U.S. Navy fighter pilot and aviation officer, bringing extensive operational experience to her leadership role in safety.
Amazon was founded in 1994 as a global e-commerce and cloud services company with extensive logistics operations. According to Amazon’s safety site, the company has invested over $2 billion in safety improvements since 2019, including ergonomic redesigns, robotics advancements, and training initiatives. Its said mission is to lower injury rates—especially serious cases requiring lost time—and position itself as a global leader in workplace health and safety.