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Lucy and the Chocolate Factory: Warehouse Robotics and Worker Safety

Gordon Burtch et al.

ILR Review (Industrial and Labor Relations Review)2025https://doi.org/10.1177/00197939251333754article
AJG 3ABDC A*
Weight
0.44

Abstract

The authors 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 because of reduced task variety and an accelerated pace of work. 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. The authors 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 the findings for regulators, policymakers, workers, and firms are discussed.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/00197939251333754

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@article{gordon2025,
  title        = {{Lucy and the Chocolate Factory: Warehouse Robotics and Worker Safety}},
  author       = {Gordon Burtch et al.},
  journal      = {ILR Review (Industrial and Labor Relations Review)},
  year         = {2025},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/00197939251333754},
}

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Lucy and the Chocolate Factory: Warehouse Robotics and Worker Safety

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Evidence weight

0.44

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.32 × 0.4 = 0.13
M · momentum0.57 × 0.15 = 0.09
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.