Legislation co-sponsored by Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer would increase safety standards for meat processing workers

Posted: Wed, Apr 22, 2020 9:51 AM

Eastern Iowa Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer is co-sponsoring the "COVID-19 Every Worker Protection Act," which is aimed at increasing safety standards for essential workers and at-risk employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill is being introduced amid concerns over rising COVID-19 infections and reports of inadequate protections for employees at some Iowa meat processing plants.

Says Finkenauer, "Employees are contacting us directly and going to the media with stories of how inadequate safety standards inside factories are allowing this virus to spread. Iowans are working their tails off to keep these plants open and keep food on our tables. We owe them the safety, dignity and peace of mind that comes with meaningful, enforceable safety standards during this historic crisis."

The legislation would:

Require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) within 7 days of enactment of the bill
Expand the scope of the ETS from health care workers to all workers – those essential employees at work today, as well as other workers who will face occupational exposure to the Coronavirus when they return to work
Protect workers from retaliation when reporting infection control problems to their employer, any public authority, the media or on a social media platform
Require employers to develop an infection control plan "with the input and involvement of employees"