No Way Out? Blocked Exits at UPS Warehouses Put Workers at Risk

When Bill Davis complained about blocked exits at the United Parcel Service Inc. warehouse in Sharonville, Ohio, he says nobody at the company listened. But the Occupational Health and Safety Administration did. Davis’ complaint led to a proposed fine exceeding $200,000.

On Friday, March 8, Davis was fired.

“I complained about these issues almost daily,” said Davis, a 33-year employee who said he was terminated for “gross insubordination.” The former package driver filed a complaint with Cincinnati Area OSHA offices last August over alleged ongoing safety hazards affecting walkways and exits. “The company likes to say they put safety first, ...