JBS plant in Brooks trying to stay open
By GILLIAN SLADE on April 21, 2020.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade Of the 115 COVID-19 cases in Brooks announced on Monday, 67 are connected to the JBS beef production facility in that city, says Alberta Health. JBS Brooks is open and operating but has implemented a range of measures to protect employees. “As a food company, we recognize and embrace the important role we play in making sure people have access to safe, quality food,” said Cameron Bruett, head of corporate affairs. He says JBS is working hard to provide a safe environment for team members and has implemented preventative measures, including taking the temperatures of workers entering the facility, the wearing of face masks while on company property and increased sanitation and disinfection efforts. There are also physical partitions on production lines. There is an increased emphasis on physical distancing facilitated by the staggering of start times for shifts and breaks, said Bruett. Spacing in the cafeteria and locker rooms has also been put in place. Those who fall into a vulnerable category have been removed with full pay and benefits. Those who are sick are required to stay home and nobody is punished for being absent for health reasons, said Bruett. JBS has also restricted access to its facilities and no longer allows visitors. “We will endeavour to keep our facilities open, but we will not operate a facility if we do not believe it is safe or if absenteeism levels result in our inability to safely operate. The health and safety of our team members remains our number one priority,” said Bruett in an emailed statement. Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Michaela Glasgo did not respond to an interview request by deadline. Workers are afraid Fabian Murphy, president of the Agriculture Union, which represents federal meat inspectors, said seven of his workers at the Cargill plant have tested positive for COVID-19. He said all meat-packing plants should shut down for 14 days to give workers time to self-isolate. They can then reopen. An Olymel plant in Quebec previously shut down, he said, adding that JBS should stop dragging its feet and follow suit. “I think they are postponing the inevitable if they don’t shut down there. Because you’ve probably got folks in there now that are asymptomatic and are carriers and they’re going to continue to spread the virus,” Murphy said. Alberta’s chief medical health officer, in announcing the Cargill death Monday, said special teams have been tasked with helping contain the virus at Cargill and JBS. Dr. Deena Hinshaw said the case numbers at the Brooks plant will likely get worse. “We have seen some community spread there and recognize that Brooks has some similar challenges with households that have many people living in those households where there can be difficulty for people to stay away from others if they are sick,” she said. “That’s something that the outbreak team that’s responding to the JBS plant and the Brooks community is looking at.” Hesse said there should have been more decisive action by the companies and the Alberta government to make sure cases didn’t skyrocket at Cargill. “Now we know of a worker that’s fighting for their life on a ventilator and a medically-induced coma in the hospital. And we’re aware of a woman who has tragically died, who we believe worked in the production area,” Hesse said. “This didn’t have to happen if the government and employer had acted quickly and acted appropriately.” 23-22
