Warehouse Workers Injury Reduction Program
Effective June 1, 2025, employers that employ more than 100 employees at a single warehouse distribution center or more than 1,000 employees at one or more warehouse distribution centers within New York must establish an injury reduction program to comply with the Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Program. New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the law on Dec. 21, 2024.
The law aims to minimize the risks of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders, which are the leading cause of injury that results in workers missing work. Musculoskeletal injuries include those to the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage of the lower limbs, neck, and lower back. In 2022, 5,472 workers were injured in the warehousing industry in New York state.
What is required?
Worksite Evaluations
Ensure that each job. process or operation of work activity has written worksite evaluation for risk factors that are likely to cause musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. The evaluation must be performed by a competent person and must be reviewed and updated annually. A new analysis of risk factors has to be conducted within 30 days of whenever a new job, process, or operation is introduced that could increase the risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. Employees must be notified in writing of the results of the worksite evaluation and employers must maintain copies of the evaluations at locations within the warehouse.
Employee Training
All employees and their supervisors must receive annual injury reduction training. The training must be provided in the employee’s language and include:
- The importance of early detection and the symptoms of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders;
- Musculoskeletal injuries and disorders risk factors and exposures at work, including the hazards posed by excessive rates of work;
- Methods to reduce risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries and disorders, including both engineering controls and administrative controls, such as limitations on work pace and increased scheduled and unscheduled breaks;
- The employer’s program established to identify risk factors, including the summary protocols for medical treatment;
- The employees’ right to report any risk factors, other hazards, injuries, or health and safety concerns; and
- Unlawful retaliation, as well as the employer’s policy prohibiting workplace discrimination.
Control of Exposures
Correct, in a timely manner, any risk factors identified in the evaluation as having caused or being likely to cause musculoskeletal injures and disorders.
Contact us to see how we can help
We have a Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist and Doctor of Physical Therapy on our team.
Alicia Turner, PT, DPT, CEAST, CEFE, AOEAS aturner@catamountconsultingllc.com 
