US lacks mandatory safety measures to protect meat workers from COVID-19: media
4 years, 3 months ago

US lacks mandatory safety measures to protect meat workers from COVID-19: media

China Daily  

Butchers at Old Fashion Country Butcher process meat as they work to meet increased demand due to COVID-19 related shortages on May 21, 2020 in Santa Paula, California. NEW YORK -- The United States "has yet to impose any mandatory safety measures" on meat plants to protect their workers from contracting COVID-19, issuing only voluntary guidelines, Bloomberg reported Monday. The US federal government has not enacted enforceable protocols for the safety of this group in high risk, leaving meatpackers no choice but to take their own safety measures, including installing plexiglass barriers and issuing protective equipment, said the New York-headquartered news agency. Coronavirus infections spread rapidly among US meat workers in March and April, prompting major companies to shutter before US President Donald Trump issued the order to keep them open in late April. Labor unions' lobbying efforts to include mandatory coronavirus safety measures are "an uphill battle," Bloomberg reported, citing Rebecca Reindel, occupational safety and health director for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations.

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History of this topic

Meat industry made ‘baseless’ claims of Covid shortages to press Trump to keep plants open, report says
2 years, 7 months ago

Meat industry made ‘baseless’ claims of Covid shortages to press Trump to keep plants open, report says

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy American meat producers used “baseless” claims of potential meat shortages …

COVID absences hit food sector, prompting calls for free testing of meat workers
3 years ago

COVID absences hit food sector, prompting calls for free testing of meat workers

ABC  

The peak body representing retailers, processors and smallgoods manufacturers is calling on the federal government to supply free rapid antigen tests to meat workers to help keep plants running. Key points: The meat industry is calling for free rapid antigen tests for abattoir workers Factories have shut down as workers isolate due to COVID The industry is warning the disruption …

Food giant Tyson to require COVID vaccination for all US workers
3 years, 5 months ago

Food giant Tyson to require COVID vaccination for all US workers

Al Jazeera  

Meat processing giant Tyson is one of the first major employers of front-line workers to require all of its US employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as the coronavirus experiences a resurgence. Meat processer Tyson Foods will require all of its employees in the United States to get vaccinated against COVID-19, becoming one of the first major employers of front-line …

Smithfield Foods pork plant faces OSHA fine from outbreak
4 years, 3 months ago

Smithfield Foods pork plant faces OSHA fine from outbreak

Associated Press  

— Federal regulators said Thursday they have cited Smithfield Foods for failing to protect employees from exposure to the coronavirus at the company’s Sioux Falls plant, an early hot spot for virus infections that hobbled American meatpacking plants. She blamed coronavirus infections in Sioux Falls for causing the outbreak at the plant Employees at the plant have said Smithfield did …

Coronavirus in Victoria shutdown of meat processors not a threat to meat supplies, industry says
4 years, 5 months ago

Coronavirus in Victoria shutdown of meat processors not a threat to meat supplies, industry says

ABC  

The shutdown of meat processors in Victoria because of COVID-19 cases among abattoir workers will not affect meat supplies for consumers, industry figures say. Key points: More than 300 cases of COVID-19 in Victoria are currently linked directly to outbreaks in meat processing plants Although there have been supply chain disruptions internationally due to abattoirs shutting, experts say Australia wouldn't …

Meat packing plants become the latest Covid-19 hotbeds
4 years, 6 months ago

Meat packing plants become the latest Covid-19 hotbeds

CNN  

Llangefni, Wales CNN — In the picturesque market town of Llangefni on the Welsh island of Anglesey, almost all the shops are closed and the town is empty amid the ongoing lockdown. There have been so many outbreaks in meat packing factories around the world that scientists are now examining whether the environment inside the plants could be part of …

Coronavirus: Why are there so many outbreaks at meat factories?
4 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus: Why are there so many outbreaks at meat factories?

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Meat factories and slaughterhouses are locations where people are …

Slaughterhouses have to better protect employees against coronavirus, Minister says
4 years, 7 months ago

Slaughterhouses have to better protect employees against coronavirus, Minister says

NL Times  

Slaughterhouses must take measures themselves to protect their employees against the coronavirus and make sure that they can do their work safely, Minister Carola Schouten of Agriculture and Food Quality said after consultation with the meat sector. Schouten met with the meat sector after 147 of the 657 employees at Vion slaughterhouse and meat processor in Groenlo tested positive for …

Covid Is Accelerating the Rise of Faux Meat
4 years, 7 months ago

Covid Is Accelerating the Rise of Faux Meat

Wired  

As with toilet paper and cleaning products, you probably didn’t fully appreciate meat until the coronavirus pandemic snatched it away. Companies like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat skip the livestock entirely: Their factories convert plant material into a striking imitation of real meat. For instance, a Beyond Meat spokesperson says that compared with a quarter-pound US beef burger, its same-sized …

Meat plant workers have a message for you (opinion)
4 years, 7 months ago

Meat plant workers have a message for you (opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Alice Driver is a freelance journalist whose work focuses on migration, human rights and gender equality. Alice Driver Luis_Garvan I’ve spent the past few months interviewing essential workers in the southern United States, primarily in Arkansas, who are instrumental to feeding this country. In an executive order signed in April, President Donald Trump deemed the workers, mostly immigrants …

Coronavirus: Iowa meatpacking plant reopens despite more than 1,000 cases among workers
4 years, 7 months ago

Coronavirus: Iowa meatpacking plant reopens despite more than 1,000 cases among workers

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Tyson Foods meatpacking …

Some Meatpackers Question New COVID-19 Safety Guidelines
4 years, 7 months ago

Some Meatpackers Question New COVID-19 Safety Guidelines

NPR  

Some Meatpackers Question New COVID-19 Safety Guidelines toggle caption Christina Stella/NET Radio Thousands of meatpacking workers across the country were recently ordered back to work in plants that have seen massive outbreaks of COVID-19. And while Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has promised the agency is "working round the clock" to implement OSHA's recent pandemic safety guidelines for meatpackers, many are …

9 key guidelines for employees post coronavirus lockdown
4 years, 7 months ago

9 key guidelines for employees post coronavirus lockdown

India TV News  

As the restrictions are being gradually eased in some zones to bring the economy back on track, the Centre has issued fresh "guidelines for restarting manufacturing industries after lockdown", advising them not to try to achieve high production targets. In a communication to all states and union territories, the National Disaster Management Authority in its fresh guidelines said due to …

Some meat plants reopen, but Trump order may not be cure-all
4 years, 8 months ago

Some meat plants reopen, but Trump order may not be cure-all

Associated Press  

— Signs Friday that several big meatpacking plants will soon reopen might appear to support President Donald Trump’s assertion that he had “solved their problems” in keeping grocery stores’ coolers stocked during the coronavirus crisis. A Smithfield Foods pork processing plant in South Dakota where more than 850 workers tested positive will partially reopen Monday after shuttering for more than …

Nearly 900 workers at Indiana meat plant test positive for coronavirus as food shortage fears grow
4 years, 8 months ago

Nearly 900 workers at Indiana meat plant test positive for coronavirus as food shortage fears grow

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The number of reported …

U.S. Workplace Safety Rules Missing In The Pandemic
4 years, 8 months ago

U.S. Workplace Safety Rules Missing In The Pandemic

NPR  

Workplace Safety Rules Missing In The Pandemic Enlarge this image toggle caption Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Shannon Stapleton/Reuters As more businesses start to reopen and people go back to work, some companies are looking for advice on how to keep employees safe from the coronavirus. "It's the Wild West out there," said Geoff Freeman, president of the Consumer Brands Association, which represents …

Meatpackers welcome Trump order; others question virus risks
4 years, 8 months ago

Meatpackers welcome Trump order; others question virus risks

Associated Press  

— Big meatpacking companies that have struggled to keep plants running during the coronavirus crisis said Wednesday that they welcomed President Donald Trump’s executive order requiring them to stay open, but unions, some employees and Democrats questioned whether workers could be kept safe. Trump, who consulted with industry leaders before issuing the order, said it would relieve “bottlenecks” that the …

Trump order keeping meat packing plants open worries unions
4 years, 8 months ago

Trump order keeping meat packing plants open worries unions

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump took executive action to order meat processing plants to stay open amid concerns over growing coronavirus cases and the impact on the nation’s food supply. Trump on Tuesday said the order would address what he described as a “legal roadblock.” It will “solve any liability problems where they had certain liability problems and we’ll be …

Workers Scared As Trump Orders Meat Plants To Open During Coronavirus Crisis
4 years, 8 months ago

Workers Scared As Trump Orders Meat Plants To Open During Coronavirus Crisis

NPR  

Workers Scared As Trump Orders Meat Plants To Open During Coronavirus Crisis Enlarge this image toggle caption David Zalubowski/AP David Zalubowski/AP President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to keep meatpacking plants in the U.S. open during the coronavirus pandemic. The president's executive order to keep the plants open notes that some of the plant closures "may be inconsistent with" …

The real reason Trump treats meatpacking workers as disposable (opinion)
4 years, 8 months ago

The real reason Trump treats meatpacking workers as disposable (opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Raul A. Reyes is an attorney and a member of the USA Today board of contributors. Raul A. Reyes CNN Tuesday, he used the Defense Production Act to order meat and poultry processing plants to stay open, despite the coronavirus pandemic. “We’re working very hard,” Trump said, “to make sure our food supply chain is sound and plentiful.” …

Meat plant workers to Trump: Employees aren’t going to show up
4 years, 8 months ago

Meat plant workers to Trump: Employees aren’t going to show up

CNN  

New York CNN Business — Meat-processing plant workers are concerned about President Donald Trump’s executive order that compels plants to remain open during the coronavirus pandemic. “All I know is, this is crazy to me, because I can’t see all these people going back into work,” said Donald, who works at Tyson’s Waterloo, Iowa, facility. “We’re going to sign an …

Trump Orders Meatpacking Plants To Stay Open
4 years, 8 months ago

Trump Orders Meatpacking Plants To Stay Open

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING President Donald Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act to force meat processing plants operated by Tyson Foods and other major suppliers to stay open even as the coronavirus spreads among workers. The president’s executive order, signed Tuesday evening, hands oversight powers to the Department of Agriculture “to determine the proper nationwide priorities and allocation of all …

Coronavirus US: Meat shortages possible 'by end of the WEEK'
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus US: Meat shortages possible 'by end of the WEEK'

Daily Mail  

Grocery stores could see meat shortages by the end of this week, according to experts, after least 13 plant staff died from COVID-19 and 5,000 called out sick. Grocery stores could see meat shortages by the end of this week after least 13 plant staff died from COVID-19 and 5,000 called out sick. The chairman of Tyson Foods warned that …

Trump orders meat processing plants to stay open
4 years, 8 months ago

Trump orders meat processing plants to stay open

CNN  

Washington CNN — President Donald Trump signed an executive order under the Defense Production Act to compel meat processing plants to remain open amid the coronavirus pandemic. Tyson Foods spokesman Gary Mickelson wouldn’t comment on the order because the company had not seen it, but said: “We can tell you our top priority remains the safety our team members and …

One of America’s biggest meat processors warns ‘the food supply chain is breaking’ in open letter
4 years, 8 months ago

One of America’s biggest meat processors warns ‘the food supply chain is breaking’ in open letter

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. John Tyson, the chairman of Tyson Food, says …

U.S. meat processing plants face huge challenge in curbing coronavirus spread
4 years, 8 months ago

U.S. meat processing plants face huge challenge in curbing coronavirus spread

LA Times  

Workers wear protective masks and stand between plastic dividers at Tyson Foods’ Camilla, Ga., poultry processing plant. The closures shouldn’t cause any immediate meat shortages or big price jumps at supermarkets, but as Purdue University economist Jason Lusk noted, “It’s a very fluid and volatile situation to keep an eye out for in the days to come.” Food Coronavirus puts …

Coronavirus lockdown | Police won’t harm farmers, govt. tells Supreme Court
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus lockdown | Police won’t harm farmers, govt. tells Supreme Court

The Hindu  

The Supreme Court on Wednesday recorded in its order the government’s undertaking that farmers and agricultural workers would not be harassed by the police and the authorities during the lockdown. A Bench, led by Justice N.V. Ramana, was hearing a petition filed by activist Swami Agnivesh, represented by senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, that the authorities were tormenting farm workers and …

U.S. Meat Supply Is 'Perilously Close' To A Shortage, CEO Warns
4 years, 8 months ago

U.S. Meat Supply Is 'Perilously Close' To A Shortage, CEO Warns

NPR  

U.S. Meat Supply Is 'Perilously Close' To A Shortage, CEO Warns Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Groves/AP Stephen Groves/AP Updated at 2:25 p.m. And the company's CEO warned that the coronavirus pandemic is pushing the nation's meat supply "perilously close" to the edge. Sponsor Message "The closure of this facility, combined with a growing list of other protein plants …

Meat Processing Plants Suspend Operations After Workers Fall Ill
4 years, 9 months ago

Meat Processing Plants Suspend Operations After Workers Fall Ill

NPR  

Meat Processing Plants Suspend Operations After Workers Fall Ill Enlarge this image toggle caption Ryan J. Foley/AP Ryan J. Foley/AP Several meat processing plants around the U.S. are sitting idle this week because workers have been infected with the coronavirus. Tyson Foods, one of the country's biggest meat processors, says it suspended operations at its pork plant in Columbus Junction, …

Companies are making their own safety rules as the federal government stands aside
4 years, 9 months ago

Companies are making their own safety rules as the federal government stands aside

CNN  

New York CNN Business — America’s grocery stores, retail chains and warehouses staying open during the coronavirus crisis can’t seem to agree on how exactly to keep their millions of workers safe at the height of a pandemic. Target said it will provide workers with masks and gloves and will “strongly encourage that they be worn while working.” But it’s …

Coronavirus | World could face a food crisis: UN, WTO
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus | World could face a food crisis: UN, WTO

The Hindu  

The heads of three global agencies warned on Wednesday of the risk of a worldwide “food shortage” if authorities fail to manage the ongoing COVID-19 crisis properly. “Uncertainty about food availability can spark a wave of export restrictions, creating a shortage on the global market,” said the joint text signed by Qu Dongyu, head of the UN’s Food and Agriculture …

Healthcare workers fear greater coronavirus risk due to safety gear shortage
4 years, 9 months ago

Healthcare workers fear greater coronavirus risk due to safety gear shortage

LA Times  

Registered nurses join healthcare workers at Keck Hospital of USC near downtown Los Angeles to listen to representatives of the California Nurses Assn., which is angry about the lack of preparation for COVID-19 outbreaks. “Our most exposed workers in the world right now to this virus are frontline healthcare workers,” said Dr. Mike Ryan chief of the health emergencies program …

Coronavirus Reveals A Gaping Hole In U.S. Workplace Safety Law
4 years, 10 months ago

Coronavirus Reveals A Gaping Hole In U.S. Workplace Safety Law

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Millions of Americans have jobs that put them at a higher risk of coming in contact with coronavirus as it spreads. Their concern is great enough that some of the country’s largest unions are expected to call on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to implement a temporary, “emergency” standard for infectious disease during the outbreak, to …

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