WATERLOO, Iowa -Three Democratic Iowa lawmakers have filed an OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) complaint against the Tyson Foods plant in Waterloo after employees complained of unsafe working conditions amid a COVID-19 outbreak.
The complaint contends multiple violations of federal OSHA standards. It accuses Tyson of failing to protect its workers from being exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace. It also accuses Tyson of not using CDC mitigation methods that have been deemed effective by other industries.
Democratic State Senator Bill Dotzler of Waterloo, along with Democratic Representatives Ras Smith of Waterloo and Timi Brown-Powers of Waterloo filed the complaint.
Nineteen elected leaders in Black Hawk County urged Tyson to close the Waterloo plant Friday over COVID-19 concerns.
In a statement, Tyson said the company has implemented measures to keep employees safe…such as plastic barriers, mandatory masks and temperature screenings.
The state reported 389 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, more than double the previous high of 191.
The Governor’s Office says 67 percent of the new cases - 261 - are the result of new surveillance testing of meat processing facilities, including hundreds of Tyson Food employees.