Moy Park refutes union claims after employee passes away

On Monday evening, the poultry giant confirmed that its employee, Luciana Viviana da Silva (58), who worked at Moy Park’s Dungannon site, died from coronavirus.

As the news broke, Unite the Union called for the factory to be shut down with immediate effect and urged the the Health and Safety Executive of Northern Ireland to “conduct responsive and unannounced physical inspections of meat processing sites to assess infection controls”.

The Union also claimed that it has been raising “concerns about the failure of  management to ensure proper social distancing on production lines in Moy Park sites in Dungannon and Portadown”.

In a statement, Moy Park offered its condolences to their team member’s family and labelled Unite the Union’s claims as “inaccurate”.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of one of our team members,” the statement begins.

“Our thoughts are with Luciana’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. The terrible impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to greatly affect everyone’s daily lives throughout our community.

“As we have consistently stated, the health, wellbeing and safety of our Moy Park team members is always our most important consideration. It is all the more disappointing therefore to have to respond to these inaccurate claims made by Unite the Union.”

The statement continues: “Moy Park worked quickly with all key parties (government, industry bodies, employees and unions) as the COVID-19 crisis unfolded. We evolved our actions to create and implement bespoke solutions early on, with many of them recognised as leading the way for food processors.

“The key significant measures taken included the following: Installation of perspex screens; social distancing/team member traffic flow on site; staggered breaks/socially distanced restaurants; enhanced cleaning and additional PPE and incentive payments to all site based team members.

“These measures have been in place for some time at all our sites and stringently followed. These are also exactly the type of measures that government guidance is now calling for as other industries return to work.

“We continue to consult, evolve and review our measures to ensure rigorous safety, for example we are in the process of introducing thermal temperature scanning of all team members as they arrive at work.”

The company’s statement also says it received “positive feedback” following a recent unannounced inspection.

“We reiterate, Moy Park follows all government guidelines and work closely with the Public Health Agency, DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), adhering strictly to their advice and protocols,” reads the statement.

“We have received positive feedback following a recent unannounced inspection by the HSE that was conducted at one of our other sites, which had the same measures in place to those at Dungannon.

“The inspection focused solely on the controls which we have in place to ensure employee safety in relation to COVID-19. We will continue to update our procedures in line with their guidance.

“We work tirelessly to protect the safety of our team and we formally review the situation daily. Finally, we just want to say how incredibly proud we are of all our people, who truly deserve the name of being food heroes, as they aim to help feed the nation during this crisis.”

Reflecting on the tragic loss of life, the Deputy Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Clement Cuthbertson said factories must ensure, safe working practices are enforced.

“First and foremost our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased worker at this time,” said the Dungannon DUP councillor.

“Sadly, this has not been the first fatality to COVID-19 in the Dungannon area. Self distancing and safe working practices must be enforced in all factories and places of work.

“From the start of the lockdown period, I have been contacted by many employees in food processing factories and engineering firms in the Dungannon area regarding the lack of social distancing and PPE.

“Workers health and safety must not be ignored.”

Sinn Fein group leader, Councillor Cathal Mallaghan offered his condolences.

“I wish to extend my sincere condolences to the family of this friends of this person,” said Cllr Mallaghan.

“Many workplaces across Mid Ulster have been continuing to provide vital services for our community and the protection of workers must come first.

“Reports indicate that food processing lines are particularly vulnerable to clusters of COVID-19 and employers must do everything they can to ensure they follow the guidance on social distancing and other prevention measures.

“As we are now eight weeks into the pandemic in Ireland, there can be no excuse for anyone or any company not to have measures in place to aid prevention.”

Independent Dungannon Councillor Barry Monteith said: “I want to extend my sympathy to this person, her family and all her loved ones.

“There needs to be further inspections at all these sites to make sure they are safe for people to work in.”

A leading trade union is calling for action in creating a COVID-19 strategy for meat processing factories.

Sean McKeever, Regional Officer for Unite, expressed sadness at the death of the woman and called on the Northern Ireland Executive to introduce emergency legislation to protect workers in meat processing factories.

“This is devastating news and we would like to extend our condolences to her friends and family,” said Mr. McKeever.

“The Northern Ireland Executive must act now before it is too late. We don’t want to see a repeat of their inaction that led to the crisis and avoidable deaths in our care homes.

“There are particular challenges in meat processing factories which mean they need a sector-specific strategy. We want to avoid the risk of the industry facing the same crisis as in the USA and Brazil where tens of thousands of workers have caught this virus.”

Mr McKeever added: “If Ministers don’t act to ensure such actions to protect workers, Unite will not sit back and watch while our members’ safety is compromised.”

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland has passed on sympathies to the family and friends of the Moy Park employee who passed away.

Discussions are currently ongoing with the employer to understand the circumstances, they said.

The safety watchdog said: “HSENI is currently carrying out unannounced inspections to businesses across Northern Ireland.

“Priority is being given to sectors such as food processing companies and sites where repeated complaints have been received.

“We can confirm that a recent unannounced inspection was carried out at a Moy Park meat processing plant. A few minor issues were found but the overall compliance with the PHA COVID-19 guidance was found to be of a high standard. This approach will continue.”