Production suspended at National Beef
Production has been suspended at the National Beef processing plant in Tama until the week of April 20.
Numerous employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and additional team members are exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Therefore, the company has suspended production for five more days.
The following precautions have been taken:
• Operational procedures have been aligned with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding COVID-19.
• Facilities are thoroughly sanitized and disinfected daily following strict sanitation protocols. Sanitation has been increased in employee common areas.
• Access to hand sanitization stations has increased for team members.
• Emergency Response Pay and Benefits provisions require employees who don’t feel well to stay home and includes relaxed attendance policies.
• Temperature screenings of all employees and personnel entering our facilities are being conducted to identify and isolate employees who have a fever.
• In common and break areas, physical space has been increased to allow employees to practice social distancing.
• Employee breaks and lunch schedules have been staggered to reduce congestion in hallways, break areas, locker rooms and additional common areas.
• Disposable face masks are being provided to employees for voluntary personal use to provide some protection from exposure to airborne droplets.
On April 2, an employee tested positive for COVID-19 and was in self-quarantine at home. The regularly scheduled cleanup was moved to the week of April 6 in response.