ALBANY, Ore. — One of eight employees from the Albany National Frozen Foods processing plant spoke to KEZI describing the workplace as unsafe and not properly protected.
Out of fear of retaliation – the employee chose to remain anonymous, but what he shared paints a picture of negligence at the hands of the processing plant.
“They haven’t even bothered to call and see if we’re still alive,” he said of himself and the seven others with the virus.
A total of eight workers tested positive for the virus
The Albany site processes frozen vegetables, and our source says the people with the closest contact to the food aren’t protected at all.
“The only people who got face masks were the packers – the people that put the bags in the box; not the people that handle the food, are touching the food and are leaning over the food,” he said.
The plant employs nearly 300 people all of whom were sent home Friday while the plant says they were conducting a deep clean of the facilities.
RELATED: ALBANY FOOD PLANT SHUTS DOWN AFTER 8 WORKERS TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
“They said they’re working with the health department to sanitize the place… well… no you’re not working with anybody… you got caught,” the employee continued.
The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration said they are investigating National Frozen Foods.
The employee said he and others reported complaints to their union representative, but nothing came from it.
“I’ve seen people sneeze, blow their nose while they’re standing over the product. I mean, it’s ridiculous,” he said.
He also said the face shields that are being used — are shared.
“When you’re done with (the shield) you put it in a barrel of soap and water and then someone comes and gets it out and puts it on their face.”
The plant closed Friday for a deep cleaning, telling it’s employees they would be paid during the time off.
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