🤕 Amazon Injury Exposed
Good morning! Welcome to another edition of "The Workday Dash" – your trusted source for the latest insights, updates, and news in the dynamic world of supply chain and logistics. It's Monday, October 30th, and we're here to kickstart your weekend with a dose of industry knowledge, trends, and innovations.
Your weekend is just around the corner, but first, let's get up to speed with the latest in supply chain excellence. 🤑😁
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Study Finds Over Two-Thirds of Amazon Warehouse Workers in the US Take Unpaid Leave Due to Job-Related Pain
A national study by the University of Illinois Chicago's Center for Urban Economic Development reveals that over 69% of Amazon warehouse workers in the US have taken unpaid time off to recover from job-related pain or exhaustion. The study surveyed 1,484 workers across 451 facilities and indicates a more widespread issue of injury and pain than previously recognized, with 34% taking unpaid leave three or more times.
Critics argue that Amazon's emphasis on fast-paced work contributes to avoidable injuries, and ergonomic risks at Amazon facilities have drawn attention from workplace safety regulators. Amazon dismissed the report, calling it a "survey done on social media, by groups with an ulterior motive," and recommended reviewing their safety data submitted to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Check out today’s featured article from Supply Chain Brain to learn more about Amazon and why they have so many injuries compared to their competitors. Will this cause trouble for Amazon in the long run?
Featured Article
Amazon Injuries More Widespread Than Thought, Study Says | Supply Chain Brain
“More than two-thirds of Amazon.com Inc. U.S. warehouse workers surveyed by researchers reported that they took unpaid time off to recover from pain or exhaustion sustained on the job.”
EV & Charging
National Grid Leads Two-Year Study to Assess Electric Truck Charging in Northeastern Region
National Grid is spearheading a two-year study, backed by the U.S. Department of Energy, to evaluate electric truck charging requirements in the Northeastern region. Named the "Northeast Freight Corridors Charging Plan," the study's objective is to project 20-year demand for over 100 potential charging locations in the area. The study will collaborate with multiple organizations and focus on highways with substantial trucking traffic and commercial zones such as ports, primarily in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the New England states. Its aim is to provide guidance for the establishment of an efficient truck charging network across the region.
In parallel, the non-profit CALSTART is conducting a separate DOE-supported study to assess charging needs in the southern part of the National Grid's study area, covering 15 states and over 3,700 miles of highways and freight corridors.
Artificial Intelligence & California
Norfolk Southern Advances Rail Safety with Machine Vision Inspection Portals and AI Technology
Norfolk Southern Corporation is deploying digital train inspection portals equipped with Machine Vision Inspection technology developed in collaboration with Georgia Tech Research Institution (GTRI). The initiative aims to enhance rail safety across the company's 22-state network, with over a dozen advanced portals set to be in operation by the end of 2024. These portals feature synchronized trackside cameras and AI algorithms that analyze ultra-high-resolution images of passing railcars to detect potential defects. The data is reviewed by experts at Norfolk Southern's Network Operations Center, reinforcing the company's commitment to safety.
Norfolk Southern's President and CEO, Alan H. Shaw, emphasized the integration of advanced technology and human expertise in these portals, underscoring the company's aspiration to become a safety leader in the rail industry. This initiative represents a significant step toward real-time defect prevention, aligning with Norfolk Southern's overarching safety goals.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
Checking out the scoop outside of the United States…
🌊 Transpacific Container Volumes See a Strong Rebound. Matson, a US shipping carrier, has reported strong freight demand in the third quarter, with China to US West Coast (USWC) service showing resilience despite a quiet peak season. Volumes from China to Los Angeles only declined by 1.3% compared to the same period last year, demonstrating robust demand. Matson expects its third-quarter net profit to be in the range of $114 million to $120 million, down from $266 million in the third quarter of 2022. The continued spending of American consumers and increased demand for imported goods are contributing to this recovery. The Port of Los Angeles also saw a 14% increase in loaded import containers handled in September, indicating inventory replenishment due to consumer demand.
🛳 Ports Explore Digital Strategies for Cargo Tracking. Ports and shipping companies are pursuing digital initiatives to enable real-time cargo tracking from departure in Asia to final delivery, but challenges like interoperability and standardization persist. Cary Davis, President of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), stressed the importance of collaboration among supply chain stakeholders to achieve such transparency. While tools for cargo tracking exist, there are concerns about a one-size-fits-all approach like the Maritime Transportation Data Initiative due to privacy, cybersecurity, and proprietary data access issues. Ports are also addressing sustainability goals and the promotion of zero-emission vehicles, necessitating careful planning to achieve decarbonization objectives.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
💤 Drowsy Driving Prevention and Addressing Sleep-Related Issues on the Road. As daylight saving time ends in November, the National Sleep Foundation emphasizes drowsy driving prevention to coincide with the elevated risk of accidents. Drowsy driving is responsible for over 6,400 U.S. deaths and 109,000 injuries annually, with economic costs estimated at $109 billion. It's equated to the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, impairing performance similarly to blood alcohol concentrations of 0.05% and 0.10% after 17 and 24 hours of sustained wakefulness, respectively. Addressing the underlying causes like sleep education, sleep deprivation, and irregular work schedules is essential, as traditional campaigns focusing on symptoms have had limited impact.
💰 Two-thirds of Americans Face Rising Household Expenses Amid Stagnant Incomes and Growing Debt. A new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that approximately two-thirds of Americans have experienced an increase in their household expenses over the past year, while only about one in four have seen an increase in their income during the same period. This disparity has left many concerned about their financial futures. The poll also indicates that for most Americans, household debt has either risen or remained the same over the past year, with around 80% reporting higher or stable household debt levels. Notably, only 15% mentioned that their household savings have increased in the past year.
⛅️ Senate Addresses Climate-Induced Supply Chain Disruption Concerns. Climate change is causing supply chain disruptions, raising concerns about higher costs. In a Senate hearing, the impact of climate change on supply chains was discussed, with estimates suggesting potential costs of $120 billion to companies by 2026. Various sectors, including agriculture, mining, and semiconductor production, are vulnerable to climate-related risks, affecting both businesses and consumers.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
🤑 Feds Allocate Millions for Advancing Smart Transportation Technology. The U.S. Department of Transportation has launched two funding programs, the SMART Grants Program and the ATTAIN program, with an annual budget of approximately $160 million each over the next five years. The SMART program, supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will provide up to $100 million annually for projects that utilize data and technology to address transportation needs like vehicle technology and infrastructure management. The ATTAIN program, with a budget of $60 million, focuses on advancing technologies to improve safety, reduce travel times, and consider climate change and environmental justice impacts while promoting job creation and economic benefits.
🏆 The Key to Modern Commerce and Customer Satisfaction is Supply Chain Velocity. Supply chain velocity, emphasized at the CSCMP Edge conference, is a vital component of modern commerce. It encompasses the speed at which goods move through production, distribution, and consumption phases while being adaptable to changes. Supply chain velocity enables efficient and responsive supply chains, which cater to customer expectations for rapid deliveries, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction.
🛍 Resilient US Consumers Maintain Strong Spending Amidst Lingering Inflation and Elevated Interest Rates. In September, a key inflation indicator closely watched by the Federal Reserve revealed that price increases remained high, with a 0.4% rise in prices from August, mirroring the previous month's increase. In comparison to the same period the previous year, inflation held steady at 3.4%. These statistics, released by the Commerce Department on Friday, indicate that consumers continue to spend robustly, contributing to strong economic growth despite ongoing inflation and elevated interest rates, underscoring the resilience of the overall economy.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 22, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.