Specialty Foods Group, a meat processor based in Owensboro, announced plans to resume operations on Wednesday after temporarily suspending operations as part of its ongoing health and safety assessments.
Since the pause in operations, SFG has consulted with Green River District Health Department as they’ve continued implementing guidance from the CDC as well as Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
SFG temporarily suspended operations on May 3 after 22 team members tested positive for COVID-19. To date, 38 team members have tested positive.
Team members and individuals who have tested positive will be subject to quarantine based upon the advice of health officials, the affected individual’s health care providers, and in accordance with CDC guidance. Other employees will be allowed to return, provided they are asymptomatic.
Clay Horton, GRDHD Public Health Director, has reviewed the initiatives undertaken by SFG to ensure the safety of its team members.
“The Green River District Health Department is thankful and appreciative of Specialty Foods Group’s efforts to respond and adapt to help stop the spread of COVID-19,” he said. “They have fully cooperated with our staff these past several weeks and, like the rest of us, have had to make major changes in order to operate in this new reality of the pandemic. We believe the steps and measures they have put in place will help protect their workforce and our community.”
During the pause in operations, SFG added more physical barriers, more timeclocks and more touchless fixtures. The plant also underwent multiple steps of deep cleaning and plant-wide sanitization.
When production resumes the company will implement a series of engineered improvements for increased physical distancing, including staggered start and break times, a mandatory mask policy, and enhanced health screenings and health questionnaire upon entry into the plant.
“The safety of our team members, contractors and the community are crucial,” says Eric Sheiss, President of SFG. “We will continue to work closely with county officials, and to adhere to CDC and OSHA guidance, as we resume production.”
SFG will begin ramping up production in phases across the facility.
