JBS Pork Plant Denies Minnesota OSHA Inspectors Investigation

April 28, 2020 by Site Staff

WORTHINGTON, Minn. (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Occupational Health and Safety Administration was ready to inspect the JBS pork plant in Worthington last Monday, but the company refused to allow inspectors to conduct the investigation.

The state Department of Labor and Industry said the JBS pork plant has not had an inspection in five years. During that time, the company has had nine non-formal complaints that were resolved without inspection or enforcement action.

Prior to the MNOSHA team’s arrival at the plant last Monday, JBS USA had announced it was going to voluntarily close its facility for at least two weeks due to an outbreak of COVID-19 cases at the plant, according to a DLI spokesperson. The Worthington plant is the largest pork production facility in the state.

“When the team arrived at the facility, the company declined to allow us to conduct the investigation,” DLI said in a statement. ... The plant closed indefinitely the same day MNOSHA planned to inspect the pork plant. ... Whenever MNOSHA is denied an investigation, they will usually get a warrant. However, in this case, since the plant was closing, there was no need.

{snip}