DCHAS-L Archives, Sep 14, 2020 - Re: [DCHAS-L] U.S. Department of Labor Issues COVID-Related Citations

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Subject: [DCHAS-L] U.S. Department of Labor Issues COVID-Related Citations

Date: Sep 14, 2020 17:41 UTC

Author: DCHAS Membership Chair <membership**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>

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From: Rob Toreki <info**At_Symbol_Here**ILPI.COM>

Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] U.S. Department of Labor Issues COVID-Related Citations

Date: Sep 14, 2020 18:32 UTC

Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety

In-Reply-To: [DCHAS-L] U.S. Department of Labor Issues COVID-Related Citations

Ha, ha - good one! For more see https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/osha-covid-meat-plant-fines/2020/09/13/1dca3e14-f395-11ea-bc45-e5d48ab44b9f_story.html

According to that WP article, at least 42,534 meatpacking workers have tested positive in 494 meat plants and at least 203 workers have died as a result. Smithfield had revenues last year of $14 billion, and JBS had $51.7 in revenue. The combined fines are roughly $29,000.

By my calculation, the two companies need 14 seconds of revenue to cover the fine, the poor dears. Clearly, these fines will make those companies sit up and take notice! In fact they have - both companies said the citations are "without merit" and they will contest them. Because, it's all about principle, of course.

Those sounds you hear are my eyes rolling in their sockets. They are pretty dry today after reading this: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/09/climate-change-denialist-given-top-role-major-us-science-agency

Rob Toreki

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On Sep 14, 2020, at 1:41 PM, DCHAS Membership Chair <membership**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG> wrote:

U.S. Department of Labor Issues COVID-Related Citations
U.S. Department of Labor Cites Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. for Failing to Protect Employees from Coronavirus - OSHA has cited Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for failing to protect employees from exposure to the coronavirus.
(snip)

U.S. Department of Labor Cites JBS Foods Inc. for Failing to Protect Employees from Exposure to the Coronavirus - Based on a coronavirus-related inspection, OSHA cited the company for a violation of the general duty clause for failing to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that can cause death or serious harm.

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