Publication: Lucy and the Chocolate Factory: Warehouse Robotics and Worker Safety
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2023-03-20
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Abstract
We examine the implications of robotics for warehouse worker safety. While warehouse automation has the potential to reduce injuries by eliminating high-risk tasks, it may also increase injuries among remaining non-automated tasks, due to reduced task variety and an accelerated pace of work. Our findings provide evidence of both effects: warehouse robotics are associated with a 40% decrease in severe injuries but a 77% increase in non-severe injuries. We provide subsequent evidence that the rise in non-severe injuries is at least partially attributable to the increased pace of work at robotics facilities. The implications of our findings for regulators, policymakers, workers, and firms are discussed within.
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
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IE Business School
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Burtch, G., Greenwood, B. N., & Ravindran, K. (2024). Lucy and the chocolate factory: warehouse robotics and worker safety. George Mason University School of Business Research Paper. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4389032.