JBS has become the second meatpacker to receive a fine from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) related to the pandemic.
OSHA announced Sept. 11 that it is seeking a fine of $15,615, the maximum allowable, against JBS over alleged violations at its beef processing plant in Greeley, Colo. JBS closed that plant for about 10 days in April. Six workers at that plant reportedly died of COVID-19, out of a total of 14 deaths of JBS workers across America.
OSHA’s action comes in the wake of a $13,494 fine of Smithfield Foods in connection with a COVID-19 outbreak at its pork plant in Sioux Falls, S.D.
JBS has about two weeks to accept the fine or contest the findings, as Smithfield intends to do.
“Employers need to take appropriate actions to protect their workers from the coronavirus,” OSHA Denver Area Director Amanda Kupper said in a statement. “OSHA has meatpacking industry guidance and other resources to assist in worker protection.”
