OSHA pact aims to reduce COVID-19 transmission in meatpacking

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has entered into a two-year alliance with the North American Meat Institute to provide additional information, guidance and access to training resources to protect workers in the meatpacking and processing industry from COVID-19, the agency said in a statement Thursday.

The Washington-based North American Meat Institute is a nonprofit trade association representing U.S. packers and processors of beef, pork, lamb, veal and turkey.

Under the terms of the agreement, the institute and OSHA will analyze the increased coronavirus transmission risks in the meatpacking and processing facilities and develop best practices for preventing transmission. They have also committed to reaching out to small- and medium-sized facilities on available guidance and compliance assistance resources, including OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program, and providing information on OSHA’s enforcement policies and procedures for the industry.

More insurance and workers compensation news on the coronavirus crisis here.