OSHA, South Dakota pork plant settle coronavirus complaint
Smithfield will develop a plan to prevent infectious diseases at meatpacking plants and pay a fine.[Smithfield Foods]
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – Federal safety regulators reach an agreement with Smithfield Foods to settle a contested citation of the company’s coronavirus safety measures during a massive outbreak last year at the South Dakota pork processing plant.
The company will develop a plan to prevent infectious diseases at meatpacking plants nationwide and pay a $13,500 fine.
The pork processing plant was one the nation’s worst COVID-19 hotspots during the early days of the pandemic. By June 16, 2020, four workers were dead and nearly 1,300 had tested positive for the virus.
The Virginia-based company has defended its actions and admitted no wrongdoing.