MOL issues three requirements to Amazon as part of investigation
We’re learning more about a workplace death at an Amazon fulfilment centre in St. Thomas, Ontario just outside London, including information about progress in the investigation as well details about the victim, and calls from labour leaders to limit heat and cold exposure.
A funeral was held last weekend for 50-year-old Paulo DeSouza Bezerra. He was a husband and father who emigrated from Brazil. A GoFundMe account was created to help his family cope with the financial toll of losing a breadwinner and it has raised more than $22,000.
“He was a wonderful father, husband and son. He was pure joy, always sharing his jokes with everyone around,” reads the page. “Everyone who knows this family knows how much they love each other and how much they fought to realize all of their dreams together.”
About one hour before his sudden death on January 15th, the Amazon building he was working in was evacuated because of a fire alarm.
Workers were told to leave the building at 11:10 pm, while the region was under a cold weather alert, with the temperature feeling like -25 C with the windchill. They were allowed back inside at 11:27 pm.
About 45 minutes after re-entering the building and warming up in a break room, Desouza Bezerra collapsed near his workstation. The page for the crowdfunding campaign says he died from a heart attack. An official cause of death has not been released. An Amazon spokesperson said the incident did appear to be work related.
Amazon says warming kits were provided to employees during the evacuation, and in a statement, dispelled a rumour that employees were told they were not allowed to stay warm in their cars.
Ontario’s Ministry of Labour is leading the investigation into the death. In a statement to Canadian Occupational Safety, it revealed it issued three requirements to Amazon. The company responded with its own statement.
“As is standard practice during investigations, the Ministry of Labor will ask employers for information to help their investigation. We’re providing the requested information and cooperating fully in the investigation.”
While it is not known at this time if the exposure to the extreme cold is connected to Desouza Bezerra’s passing, it has led to calls from at least one prominent labour leader to enhance protection for workers from cold and heat exposure.
“Legislation is needed for heating and cooling limits for all workers,” says Laura Walton, president of the Ontario Federation of Labour in an interview with the London Free Press. “With climate change, we’re seeing more extreme weather. Goodwill on the part of the employer only goes so far,” Walton said.
Exposure risks and hazard mitigation are commonplace for employers with outdoor workers, but may be less so for workers who typically work indoors. Extreme cold and heat should be considered when developing, implementing, and practicing fire evacuation protocols.
