AMAZON has stressed that its Dunfermline fulfilment centre is a safe place to work despite 75 serious incidents at the facility over the last four years.

After a Freedom of Information request, the GMB Union released the stats which date back to 2015.

Injuries include concussion and/or internal head injury, strains and sprains, fractured bones, lacerations and open wounds.

GMB Scotland secretary Gary Smith slammed the figures.

“Amazon’s health and safety record at Dunfermline is appalling – they are treating workers like robots, not humans,” he said. “This is a multi-billion pound company that has been a significant beneficiary from public money – millions of pounds from the Scottish taxpayer.

“The least they can do is open the doors to the workhouse in Dunfermline so trade unions can get access to, and represent, these workers and reduce the terrible number of accidents.”

Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman told the Press he hoped to discuss the figures with the company.

“Amazon operate in a non-unionised workplace, however, while I am sure the company take health and safety issues seriously, I would suggest the number of serious incidents would be reduced if there was recognition for a trade union as they would be on top of the situation through regular discussions with Amazon management,” he said.

“A part of Amazon’s senior management team is John Park, who is a former Labour MSP and former trade union official, and I have written to him today requesting a meeting to discuss how the company is taking steps to reduce the number of serious accidents at the Dunfermline fulfilment centre and to see if Amazon’s attitude to trade union representation and recognition is to be changed.”

Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville said the figures were “incredibly concerning”.

She added: “Whilst I appreciate that Amazon has a large number of staff at their fulfilment centre, this does not excuse the number of incidents we are seeing here.

“Companies have a responsibility to ensure the highest standard of safety for its employees, and Amazon is no exception. Employees deserve to go to work knowing that their safety will be their employer’s top priority.

“I’ve contacted Amazon to ask for an urgent meeting to discuss the steps which they are taking to ensure staff safety, and the further measures they can adopt going forward. With staff numbers increasing in advance of Christmas, it’s urgent that action is taken at the earliest possible opportunity.”

A spokesperson for Amazon refuted the concerns.

“We take pride in our buildings as safe places to work – according to the UK Government’s Health and Safety Executive RIDDOR, Amazon has 43 per cent fewer injuries on average than other transportation and warehousing companies,” said the spokesperson.

“We encourage you to compare our pay, benefits, and working conditions to others. Come see for yourself on one of the public tours we offer every day at our centres across the UK: uk.amazonfctours.com.”