An employee at an Amazon fulfillment center in Troutdale, Oregon, died while on duty last week, and reports suggested that work at the facility continued even after the employee fell to the ground.
The company confirmed the death in a statement, saying it was contacting the worker’s family and providing support to staff on site. The incident occurred at the PDX9 warehouse, where the employee reportedly collapsed on the floor, technology crunch the report said.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our team member and our deepest condolences go out to their loved ones during this difficult time,” Amazon spokesman Sam Stephenson said.
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According to the company, the employee was sent home early after the incident and was paid for the remainder of the shift. Night shifts were canceled but workers were still compensated.
An investigative report by Western Edge covering the Pacific Northwest said the employee lay on the warehouse floor while operations continued around him. Individuals claiming to work at the facility posted online that conditions inside the building were unusually warm.
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Some workers attributed this to the installation of soundproof curtains, which they said may have reduced airflow. They speculate that high temperatures may increase the physical demands of the job. The same report noted that when employees returned the next day, the warehouse appeared cooler.
Authorities say the incident was not work-related
Amazon said the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reviewed the case and determined the death was not related to workplace conditions.
The PDX9 facility has previously been criticized for working conditions. A 2018 Reveal survey found that 26% of workers at the warehouse were injured. Data from 2024 also shows that injury rates in Amazon fulfillment centers are more than double the warehouse industry average.
The company faces multiple investigations by federal agencies and prosecutors regarding workplace safety, including allegations of underreporting workplace injuries. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York is currently investigating security practices at Amazon warehouses.
Amazon said its global recordable incident rate has dropped 43% since 2019. The company added that it has invested more than $2.5 billion in security measures during this period, including significant spending in 2026.
