Cork meat factories received the highest number of Health and Safety Authority (HSA) inspections in relation to COVID-19.
Information released to Irish Farmers Journal through Freedom of Information reveals that since the start of June five inspections were carried out in the county. Some 36 inspections were carried out between the start of June and July 11 this year.
The HSA also carried out four inspections in Tipperary and three inspections in Cavan, Roscommon and Meath respectively, with an additional two general health and safety inspections in Cavan.
There was also concern around outbreaks in Rosderra Roscrea, Kepak Athleague and Liffey Meats in Cavan
While the names of inspected factories were withheld by the authority, the Irish Farmers Journal understands that there was particular scrutiny of Kepak in Watergrasshill where over 100 workers are believed to have contracted the virus.
There was also concern around outbreaks in Rosderra Roscrea, Kepak Athleague and Liffey Meats in Cavan.
NPHET documents reveal that some plants were inspected more than once and a number of plants in other counties were also inspected by the authority.
It was further revealed that just nine out of 39 inspections in factories were unannounced in the recent Oireachtas hearing on COVID-19
The HSA CEO Sharon McGuinness has come under fire for allowing a hiatus in inspections during the height of the pandemic from March to June which saw over 1,000 factory workers contract the virus.
It was further revealed that just nine out of 39 inspections in factories were unannounced in the recent Oireachtas hearing on COVID-19.
However, McGuinness has defended her role insisting that the HSE and not the HSA, took the lead on virus outbreaks in factories and this newspaper understands that unannounced inspections have been ramped up in both meat and dairy plants.
In addition, the HSA, under the aegis of the Department of Business, says some 250 Department of Agriculture staff, including up to 50 vets, already working in factories will carry out COVID-19 workplace inspections in conjunction with their normal duties.
However, an FOI request shows that just 24 Department staff were trained by the HSA via webinar on 2 July, and the authority was unable to confirm the overall number of staff trained since then.
102 non-slaughter plants, such as Carrolls Cuisine and O’Brien’s Fine Foods, have a part-time veterinary presence
Deputy director of veterinary services at the Department of Agriculture, Michael Sheahan, confirmed to the Oireachtas that 91 inspections had been undertaken by Department staff, but it is understood that there is a level of concern among factory vets with the amount of additional form filling that is now required.
In addition, while 47 slaughter plants have a permanent veterinary presence some 102 non-slaughter plants, such as Carrolls Cuisine and O’Brien’s Fine Foods, have a part-time veterinary presence and the factory vet union has maintained they have no enforcement role in worker health and safety protocol.
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Cork meat factories received the highest number of Health and Safety Authority (HSA) inspections in relation to COVID-19.
Information released to Irish Farmers Journal through Freedom of Information reveals that since the start of June five inspections were carried out in the county. Some 36 inspections were carried out between the start of June and July 11 this year.
The HSA also carried out four inspections in Tipperary and three inspections in Cavan, Roscommon and Meath respectively, with an additional two general health and safety inspections in Cavan.
There was also concern around outbreaks in Rosderra Roscrea, Kepak Athleague and Liffey Meats in Cavan
While the names of inspected factories were withheld by the authority, the Irish Farmers Journal understands that there was particular scrutiny of Kepak in Watergrasshill where over 100 workers are believed to have contracted the virus.
There was also concern around outbreaks in Rosderra Roscrea, Kepak Athleague and Liffey Meats in Cavan.
NPHET documents reveal that some plants were inspected more than once and a number of plants in other counties were also inspected by the authority.
It was further revealed that just nine out of 39 inspections in factories were unannounced in the recent Oireachtas hearing on COVID-19
The HSA CEO Sharon McGuinness has come under fire for allowing a hiatus in inspections during the height of the pandemic from March to June which saw over 1,000 factory workers contract the virus.
It was further revealed that just nine out of 39 inspections in factories were unannounced in the recent Oireachtas hearing on COVID-19.
However, McGuinness has defended her role insisting that the HSE and not the HSA, took the lead on virus outbreaks in factories and this newspaper understands that unannounced inspections have been ramped up in both meat and dairy plants.
In addition, the HSA, under the aegis of the Department of Business, says some 250 Department of Agriculture staff, including up to 50 vets, already working in factories will carry out COVID-19 workplace inspections in conjunction with their normal duties.
However, an FOI request shows that just 24 Department staff were trained by the HSA via webinar on 2 July, and the authority was unable to confirm the overall number of staff trained since then.
102 non-slaughter plants, such as Carrolls Cuisine and O’Brien’s Fine Foods, have a part-time veterinary presence
Deputy director of veterinary services at the Department of Agriculture, Michael Sheahan, confirmed to the Oireachtas that 91 inspections had been undertaken by Department staff, but it is understood that there is a level of concern among factory vets with the amount of additional form filling that is now required.
In addition, while 47 slaughter plants have a permanent veterinary presence some 102 non-slaughter plants, such as Carrolls Cuisine and O’Brien’s Fine Foods, have a part-time veterinary presence and the factory vet union has maintained they have no enforcement role in worker health and safety protocol.
Read more
Factory quotes steady as COVID-19 disruptions continue
HSE faces ‘tsunami’ of meat and dairy worker tests
COVID-19: meat and dairy worker testing in lockdown counties
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