Canada Invests Millions in Meat Plant Worker Safety

Canada has just announced that it will be investing millions of dollars to mitigate COVID-19 risks at meat processing plants.

  • Mar 08, 2021

Canada has announced a sizable funding plan to ensure the safety of workers and reduce the risk of production bottlenecks at 24 meat processing plant facilities around the country.

The Canadian government will be funding the worker safety initiative with over C$7.8 million dollars divided up between the plants. The money will help mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19, with funds going towards enabling social distancing, purchasing reusable PPE, installing protective barriers, improving sanitation and developing training for employees.

The funding is part of the C$77.5 milling Emergency Processing Fund which aids processors in their journey to protect workers in the meat processing industry. The fund will also support facility upgrades that strengthen Canada’s food supply.

The news of Canada’s meat plant funding comes as United States’ Meat Packing Plants report dire conditions and the need for funding when it comes to worker safety and health.

In a House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing last week, advocates said meatpacking, poultry and agriculture workers faced “devastating” conditions during the pandemic due to a lax approach to worker safety by employers and federal regulators.

According to FERN’s database on the spread of COVID-19 in the food system, nearly 88,000 food system workers have contracted the virus over the past year.

Debbie Berkowitz, the worker safety and health program director at the National Employment Law Project and a former official at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said the results of the rampant spread of the virus lead to “more meatpacking and poultry workers dying of Coronavirus-related illnesses in the last 12 months of the pandemic, than from all work-related causes in the last 15 years.”

Workers in the food system are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, but getting the appointment could prove difficult.

Product Showcase

  • SwabTek® Cannabis Test Kit

    The SwabTek® Cannabis Test Kit is a single-use spot test designed for use in screening for cannabis compounds in any sample type or on any surface. The test is capable of identifying the presumed presence of cannabinoids in very small quantities, with a level of detection as little as 6 μg in mass. Learn more about the SwabTek® Cannabis Test Kit and the rest of SwabTek surface drug testing solutions through the webinar titled "Everything You Want To Know About Surface Testing" 3

  • Full Line of Defense Against Combustible Dust Nilfisk

    Nilfisk provides a comprehensive range of industrial vacuums meticulously crafted to adhere to NFPA 652 housekeeping standards, essential for gathering combustible dust in Class I, Group D, and Class II, Groups E, F & G environments or non-classified settings. Our pneumatic vacuums are meticulously engineered to fulfill safety criteria for deployment in hazardous surroundings. Leveraging advanced filtration technology, Nilfisk ensures the secure capture of combustible materials scattered throughout your facility, ranging from fuels, solvents, and metal dust to flour, sugar, and pharmaceutical powders. 3

  • Glove Guard® Clip

    Safety should never be compromised, especially when it comes to proper glove usage. The Glove Guard® clip enhances safety by encouraging employees to keep their gloves with them at all times. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries on the job. By ensuring everyone has their gloves readily available, we help promote a culture of safety and efficiency. The Glove Guard® clip is designed to withstand the toughest work environments. Constructed from robust materials made in the USA, it can endure extreme conditions, including harsh weather, and rigorous activities. 3

Featured

Most   Popular