Incident · Injury
Automated palletizer punctured a bear-spray can at an Amazon warehouse, hospitalizing two dozen workers (2018)
On Dec 5 2018 an automated palletizing robot at an Amazon fulfillment center in Robbinsville Township, New Jersey punctured a 9 oz can of concentrated bear repellent, releasing capsaicin into the facility; about 24 workers were hospitalized (one in critical condition) and more than 50 treated on scene. OSHA investigated. A novel robot-handling hazard distinct from struck-by injuries.
Occurred 2018-12-05 · Amazon
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Sources (1)
Common questions
- What happened in Automated palletizer punctured a bear-spray can at an Amazon warehouse, hospitalizing two dozen workers (2018)?
- On Dec 5 2018 an automated palletizing robot at an Amazon fulfillment center in Robbinsville Township, New Jersey punctured a 9 oz can of concentrated bear repellent, releasing capsaicin into the facility; about 24 workers were hospitalized (one in critical condition) and more than 50 treated on scene. OSHA investigated. A novel robot-handling hazard distinct from struck-by injuries.
- When did this incident occur?
- The incident is recorded as occurring on December 5, 2018 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.
- Who was involved in Automated palletizer punctured a bear-spray can at an Amazon warehouse, hospitalizing two dozen workers (2018)?
- The incident is recorded as involving Amazon on the DEPLOY registry. No specific robot model is linked to this incident in the registry.
- Has anyone responded to Automated palletizer punctured a bear-spray can at an Amazon warehouse, hospitalizing two dozen workers (2018)?
- No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.
- What is the current status of Automated palletizer punctured a bear-spray can at an Amazon warehouse, hospitalizing two dozen workers (2018)?
- This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.
Methodology: Unreviewed · 1 source (no primary) · last reviewed 2026-06-24
Verification posture
Unreviewed
Low confidence
Review state
Stable
Last reviewed 2026-06-24
Sources by quality tier
- 1
- unclassified
- Unclassified source
The framework is documented at /methodology. Corrections at /corrections. Reviewer: DEPLOY editorial team.
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Canonical ID 4fe022b2-163e-4b02-a54d-b9e57f0eea6e