OSHA issues fine to JBS over coronavirus spread

GREELEY — JBS USA Holdings Inc. will pay the Occupational Safety and Health Administration a $14,502 fine for violations of infectious disease safety policies at seven facilities early in the pandemic. The OSHA settlement also requires the multinational meat packer to revamp its infectious disease policies.

Jennifer Rous, Denver’s OSHA Regional Administrator, announced in a statement the settlement is intended to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases that may cause outbreaks in the future.

“This settlement will positively impact the safety and health of JBS employees far beyond the two facilities where these inspections occurred,” Rous said in a statement.

A COVID-19 outbreak at the Greeley facility led to a 14-day shutdown in April of 2020. By July 30 of 2020, 290 workers had confirmed cases, 51 workers had been hospitalized, and five workers died. Officials believe that spread within meat packing facilities could have also led to outbreaks in the wider community when infected workers returned home.

Another facility in Green Bay specifically named by OSHA faced 357 cases and two deaths from the coronavirus before Aug. 12, 2020. The U.S. House of Representatives opened an inquiry into the meat packer in 2021 in response to concerns about the spread of COVID-19.

In addition to issuing the fine and mandating the creation of new infectious disease policies, OSHA has also announced plans to issue guidance on stocking up on personal protective equipment, updating workplace controls and addressing existing occupational health systems. Each facility named in the settlement is responsible for naming an administrator to carry out these stipulations.

The seven facilities named in the settlement include Swift Beef Co. in Greeley, Grand Island, Neb., Omaha, Neb., and Cactus, Texas. Swift Pork Co. in Beardstown, Ill. and JBS Green Bay Inc. and JBS Souderton Inc. are also named.

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