60 COVID-19 cases, 1 death connected to West Michigan beef plant
PLAINWELL, Mich. (WWMT) — According to the Allegan County Health Department, 60 workers at the JBS USA beef processing plant in Plainwell have tested positive for COVID-19.
Lindsay Maunz, public information officer for the Allegan County Health Department, said at least one COVID-19 death is connected to the plant and the department has received more than a dozen complaints about the facility in April 2020.
Health officials conducted an on-site review of the plant’s social distancing, screening and hygiene practices on April 13.
She also said the plant shut down over the weekend but reopened April 20 with limited staffing.
JBS and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union announced on Sunday employees would receive temporary raises until the end of May and access to enhanced personal protective equipment.
According to an announcement from the union:
- Beginning April 20 and lasting through May 30, JBS employees will receive an additional $4 an hour in pay increases. This will be in addition to the previously announced $600 bonus.
- JBS employees will have access to enhanced personal protection equipment like masks, gloves, and face shields.
- JBS will be installing plexiglass shields in areas of plants where social distancing is not possible.
- Expanded cafeterias and break rooms in JBS plants will allow workers to better practice social distancing.
- Enhanced cleaning in common areas and plants will further strengthen safety measures.
"We will not operate a facility if we do not believe it is safe. The health and safety of our team members is our number one priority. We have implemented a wide of range of measures to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 among our workforce," in a statement, a JBS spokesperson said.
The statement also said the company is implementing additional health and safety measures including:
- Increasing sanitation and disinfection efforts, including whole facility deep-cleaning every day
- Promoting physical distancing by staggering starts, shifts and breaks, and increasing spacing in cafeterias, break and locker rooms, including plexiglass dividers in key areas
- Dedicating staff to continuously clean facilities
- Removing vulnerable populations from our facilities, offering full pay and benefits
- Requiring sick team members to stay home from work
- Waiving short-term disability waiting periods
- Providing free 100% preventative care to all team members enrolled in their health plan
