Critical infrastructure employers have an obligation to manage the continuation of work and return to work of their workers in ways that best protect the health of workers, their coworkers, and the general public. More than 200 meat plant workers in the U.S. have died of covid-19. Designate workers to monitor and facilitate distancing on processing floor lines. Credit: Shutterstock From the United States to Brazil, Britain, Germany and Australia, meat-processing plants have played a peculiar role in spreading COVID-19. Read the original article here. STF changed its shipment protocol to restrict contact drivers have with employees and only granting access to essential vendors. Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: Sign up for our free newsletters to stay informed on each day’s news and trends, South Dakota meat processors can apply for COVID-19 funding from the state, Perdue Farms pushes CDC, governors to prioritize industry workers for COVID-19 vaccine, Podcast: The Ohio State’s Lynn Knipe discusses meat processing education during COVID-19, JBS to bring Italian meat production to Missouri, Cargill temporarily closes Ontario facility due to COVID-19 outbreak, Tyson opens $425 million poultry complex in Tennessee, New products at the 2021 Annual Meat Conference. Provide PPE that is either disposable (preferred) or, if reusable, ensure it is. Stagger break times or provide temporary break areas and restrooms to avoid groups of workers during breaks. WASHINGTON - A new study in Food Policy shows that COVID infections at large meatpacking facilities are associated with virus outbreaks in the county where those facilities are located. If helmets are being used, use face shields designed to attach to helmets. Federal regulators just issued two modest fines. Specifically, when engineering and administrative controls are difficult to maintain and there may be exposure to other workplace hazards, such as splashes or sprays of liquids on processing lines or disinfectants used for facility cleaning, PPE should be considered. This may mean using more vehicles. Additionally, OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Programexternal icon enforces the provisions of more than 20 industry-specific federal laws protecting employees from retaliation for raising or reporting concerns about hazards or violations of various airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime, securities, and tax laws. Implement engineering controls, such as physical barriers or dividers or rope and stanchion systems, to maintain at least six feet of distance between screeners and workers being screened. Prevent the spread of COVID-19 And while experts say the industry has thus far maintained sufficient production despite infections in at least ... Of the 10 major meat-packing counties with the highest COVID … Workers should be educated to avoid touching their faces, including their eyes, noses, and mouths, particularly until after they have thoroughly washed their hands upon completing work and/or removing personal protective equipment (PPE). Note: Employers mustexternal icon ensure their written hazard communication program is up to date and training is up to date for all employees. For tool-intensive operations, employers should ensure tools are regularly cleaned and disinfected, including at least as often as workers change workstations or move to a new set of tools. 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