Employee deaths caused by the coronavirus were reported in mid-April, but the CDC started warnings back in 2019, so why didn’t the Tyson plant take better precautions and be better prepared?
Signs of the virus causing illness and death were reported from around the world in 2019 and if one was paying attention, had more than enough time to prepare their business operation.
The cost of non-compliance.
Companies like Tyson that evidently did not seriously heed CDC warnings of the fast-spreading virus, in the end, paid a much higher price compared to if serious action and precautions were taken in advance.
The final cost.
The cost in loss of life cannot be calculated and a separate item, but other operational cost will be significant from
- Loss from an idle facility
- No production
- Spoiled product
- Additional facility sanitation & inspection
- Implementing new employee hygiene procedures
- New work environment protocols
- Re-starting the facility
Proper attention and planning would have saved millions in cost.
Why didn’t Tyson Smithfield implement better health safety protocols?
Probably due to the added cost in PPE’s, special training, new workplace protocols and procedures, a reduction in due to reduced product output.
When employees are required to work six feet apart, it could represent a potential reduction of 30% – 40% people and out-put.
In management arrogance in not believing or potentially caring that the virus was on it’s way or placing more focus on profits over people, is very possible, but no one will ever admit the practice.
Falling short on responsible sanitation and personnel hygiene practices is nothing new in the food industry. Occupational safety usually has a limited budget in companies and until COVID-19 was a thing, wasn’t closely looked at.
The public is occasionally made aware of people getting ill or dying from consuming contaminated food containing Listeria monocytogenes, a deadly bacteria that entered the food chain.
The deadly bacteria can originate anywhere food is prepared, processed or manufactured, from restaurant kitchen to manufacturing facility, pathogens do not recognize boundaries.
Over the years the FDA has reported companies where products were recalled, due to listeriosis found in at facility and in products. The situation resulted in customers getting ill or dying consuming. Here are some names you will recognize.
- Blue Bell Ice Cream
- Blue Bell Ice Cream – again
- Packaged Salad
- Ruiz Products Poultry & Beef
- Chipotle Food
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
What does the FDA require once listeria is discovered in products?
Products are immediately pulled from the grocery store, a recall announcement is posted and products are destroyed.
The infected facility is inspected to identify where and how a pathogen entered the food chain. After necessary sanitation measures are conducted, the facility is tested to confirm the pathogen has been eradicated.
Separate pathogens, so what do COVID-19 and Listeria have in common?
Answer: Illness or death due to a pathogen outbreak and a weakness in practice, policy and procedures in sound sanitation practices.
Weaknesses in company operations when outbreaks occur.
- A solid food safety program
- Ongoing training and awareness in basic hygiene practices and occupational safety
- Management oversight
- Not pro-actively addressing minor operational critical control points
- Little to no budget to support ongoing training in operational processes where employees are involved
COVID-19 has demonstrated the importance of adhering to basic, fundamental hygiene practices. Regular hand washing, confining a sneeze, avoid others when sick and understanding that hands that come in contact with a surface harboring a germ, bacteria or virus was transferred.
Click the link to keep up with continuing CDC updates on COVID-19.
Humans getting sick or dying caused by a virus, germ or bacterium has been around for thousands of years and will continue. Some are managed and killed by responsible hygiene processes, while others are eliminated by modern medicine, but some can lie dormant and later come alive.
Pathogens do not recognize boundaries, follow rules, or have a standard behavior pattern and can affect any business in any industry that results in a weakened labor force and added business expense.
The Coronavirus has demonstrated the importance for all size of company and municipalities they reside in, the importance of being proactive in continued sanitation practices each and every day. No single business or community is immune.
Contact Darryl on guidelines in how to re-open and operate your business moving forward. I will review and make recommendations about your business operation, correct poor workplace practices, and offer improved employee hygiene policy and procedures. Your company, investors, and employees will appreciate you for it.
- Ethics In Using Madagascar Vanilla - November 21, 2023
- Money To Start Your Business - July 9, 2023
- Top 25 Common Myths About Ice Cream Co-Pack Manufacturers - April 22, 2023