CORONAVIRUS
The current grievance, submitted April 15, says an employee checked favorable and had actually been working for the previous two weeks.
ALBANY, Ore.– A minimum of two problems of coronavirus-related job dangers were reported to the state of Oregon at a frozen food plant that is now the site of a COVID-19 break out.
On Friday, officials verified at least 8 employees at the National Frozen Foods plant in Albany have actually been identified with COVID-19, while two others related to the plant have actually also evaluated positive.
An overall of 300 staff members work at the plant, and the first case was reported April 13,2020
The plant was closed down Friday, April 24 for cleansing and sanitation, which will continue into the weekend.
Authorities say they’ve also obtained face shields, numerous masks and will increase cleansing throughout the center after every shift. The plant processes vegetables for a few of the largest food providers in the nation.
” As a company- we’re going to do everything we can for those boots on the ground,” stated Steven Schossberger, general counsel and vice president of National Frozen Foods.
Workers file OSHA complaints
According to the Oregon Security and Health Administration, which has actually been receiving thousands of workplace coronavirus-related complaints throughout the past couple of weeks, at least 2 complaints have been filed versus the National Frozen Foods plant.
” The employer is not following existing guidelines for COVID-19 pandemic. Workers in the workplace that have actually checked favorable for COVID-19 are working side-by-side staff members not contaminated,” checked out the problem submitted on March 20,2020 “Employer has actually informed staff members not to utilize hand sanitizer as required to avoid exposure to COVID-19”
In reaction to that complaint, Schossberger told KGW, “The plant manager and HR manager verified the plant did not have anybody report a favorable for the infection at that time.”
Furthermore, Schossberger said the plant “already had hand sanitizer and hand washing in place … in no way would NFFC dissuade their use, specifically provided current scenarios.”
Another problem was filed April 15, at least a full day after the first worker checked favorable for COVID-19
” The employer has not taken any action to protect the virus from spreading out at work. A staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on 4/14/2020 and had actually been at
work for 10 out of the last 14 days. Another staff member is presumed of having COVID-19 and was at work recently,” the employee composed. “Employees are not adhering to the social distancing guidelines of 6 feet in typical locations and are not able to [do so] on the assembly line.”
OSHA inspectors went to the plant on April 21, and the assessment remains open and ongoing, according to a representative.
There have been serious break outs in a number of meat processing plants across Washington, consisting of Walla and Yakima.
An examination by USA Today and the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting found that a rash of coronavirus break outs at lots of meat packing plants throughout the nation is even more extensive than formerly believed.
These employees face pressure to keep food on the racks.
” A great deal of workers that people took for given- whether it be garbage collectors, workers in supermarket, employees in food processing in farms who individuals used to consider given are now being considered essential,” Michael Beranbaum with Teamsters Local Union 670 said.
A costs was introduced this week in Congress that would establish national safety requirements to assist safeguard food workers from coronavirus
If you ‘d like to report your office for coronavirus-related violations, visit OSHA’s website here.
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Editors’ note: We originally reported 10 workers at the plant were ill with coronavirus, but officials now confirm 8 workers were ill and 2 individuals “associated with the plant” have coronavirus.
