Lawmakers aiming to rein in on warehouse working conditions

Lawmakers in New York are aiming to tackle the high levels of injuries in warehouses with a “warehouse worker protection act,” introduced Thursday, that would require employers to better manage such issues as ample rest and quotas.

S.B. 8922, sent to the labor committee, would require warehouse employers to provide a written description of performance quotas, and states that employees “shall not be required to meet quotas that prevent compliance with meal or rest periods, use of bathroom facilities, or increase the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders.”

The bill would also require employers to establish an injury reduction program to identify and minimize the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders.