Tyson Foods canceled production Monday to deep clean its Logansport plant. Staff photo by Tony Walters
LOGANSPORT — Tyson Foods Inc. announced that it would be cancelling production Monday at the Logansport facility in an effort to deep clean and sanitize the building, according to a press release.
“Tyson workplace safety efforts are significant and strictly enforced and the company is working hard to protect team members during the coronavirus pandemic, while also ensuring the company continues fulfilling its role of helping feed people in the community and across the country,” the press release read.
“While we understand the necessity of keeping our facilities operational so that we can continue to feed the nation, the safety of our people remains our top priority,” Jim Schmitz, Vice President of Pork Production Operations said. “Our plant production areas are sanitized daily to ensure food safety, and we have stepped up deep cleaning and sanitizing of our facilities, especially in employee breakrooms, locker rooms and other areas to protect our team members. We have team members dedicated to constantly wiping down and sanitizing common areas. In some cases, this additional cleaning involves suspending a day of production. We understand everyone, including our team members, is anxious during this challenging time and we’re committed in doing everything to be there for each other as we navigate through this together.”
One of the first steps the company implemented, according to the press release, were protective measure inside its facility, which began in early March.
The Logansport facility installed infrared walk-through scanners that check employees’ temperature as they walk through the door. According to the press release, if an employee shows to have a temperature of 100.4 or above, he or she is to be sent home.
According to the press release, the company is mandating that employees wear protective face coverings to help prevent spread of the virus.
The press release stated that the company “is maintaining the CDC’s recommendation to stand 6 feet [away from others] when possible, such as in restrooms, smoking areas and [the] cafeteria.” They are also installing workstation dividers and providing more breakroom space by setting up a large tent outside with seating areas.
They’ve also added additional time clocks throughout the facility and have installed foot operating door openers on several doors throughout the facility to decrease the amount of people touching doorknobs.
Tyson has mandatory health care coverage, and is also waiving the five-consecutive-day waiting period for short term disability benefits, so workers can receive pay while they’re sick with the flu or COVID-19.
In addition, they are waiving the co-pay, co-insurance and deductible for doctor visits for COVID-19 testing as well as eliminating pre-approval or preauthorization steps. They are waiving co-pays for the use of telemedicine services and relaxing refill limits for 30-day prescriptions of maintenance medications.
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