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24 Amazon Workers Sent To Hospital After Robot Accidentally Unleashes Bear Spray
Joe_Dragon shares a report from ABC News: Twenty-four Amazon workers in New Jersey have been hospitalized after a robot accidentally tore a can of bear repellent spray in a warehouse, officials said. The two dozen workers were treated at five local hospitals, Robbinsville Township communications and public information officer John Nalbone told ABC News. One remains in critical condition and 30 additional workers were treated at the scene. The official investigation revealed "an automated machine accidentally punctured a 9-ounce bear repellent can, releasing concentrated Capsaican," Nalbone said. Capsaican is the major ingredient in pepper spray. The fulfillment center was given the all clear by Wednesday evening. "All of the impacted employees have been or are expected to be released from hospital within the next 24 hours. The safety of our employees is always our top priority and a full investigation is already underway. We'd like to thank all of the first responders who helped with today's incident," Amazon said in a statement Wednesday night.
What is really news here? A worker with a forklift could do this just as easily and readily as a robot.
The news here is that Amazon didn't hesitate in calling 911 and getting 7 ambulances for their workers.
Lucky for them they weren't at a Tesla plant. Tesla prohibits its employees from calling 911, even for much more serious incidents than bear spray.
First one I would be asking is why a "non-lethal" form of defense would be considered "dangerous goods"
What a bizarre question. You seem to be asking why something not designed to kill can still be dangerous, which makes me wonder how you survived into adulthood.
Surely you meant to ask something else.
As for a ban, maybe a ban on robots handling such things, at least until safety can be improved, is a good idea. We don't allow forklifts to carry certain things for the same reason.
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SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC