HARRISBURG, PA — Warehouse workers in Pennsylvania could see new safety protections under proposed legislation aimed at addressing injury rates that significantly exceed industry averages.
What This Means for You
- More Transparency at Work: Employers would be required to disclose productivity quotas to workers.
- Increased Oversight: State officials would investigate facilities with unusually high injury rates.
- Focus on Worker Safety: The bills aim to reduce workplace injuries in a rapidly growing sector.
State Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, introduced two bills Monday that would require greater accountability from warehouse distribution centers and expand state oversight of workplace safety.
The proposal comes as data show injury and illness rates in Pennsylvania warehouses are significantly higher than in other industries.
High Injury Rates Drive Proposal
According to U.S. Department of Labor data, warehouse distribution centers in Pennsylvania reported a nonfatal injury and illness rate of about 11.4 percent between 2022 and 2024—more than three times the rate across all industries.
A 2024 report from the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions also found that one large warehouse recorded injury rates more than 30 percent above the industry average.
The report further alleged that the facility misrepresented injury data and interfered with employees seeking medical care.
What the Bills Would Do
The legislation would require warehouses with more than 100 employees to provide workers with written descriptions of productivity quotas—benchmarks that set expectations for how quickly employees must complete tasks.
It would also direct the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry to investigate facilities that report annual injury rates at least 30 percent higher than the industry average.
Williams said the measures are intended to improve workplace safety and accountability in a sector that employs more than 113,000 people across more than 1,600 warehouses statewide.
“With more than 1,600 warehouses that employ over 113,000 people in our state, we must take action to ensure these jobs prioritize employees’ health, safety, and well-being,” Williams said.
Broader Context and Next Steps
Similar laws addressing warehouse safety and workplace quotas have been enacted in states including California, New York, and Washington.
The proposed legislation will now move through the state legislative process, where it may be considered by committee before advancing to a full vote.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News.