More than half a billion dollars spent on equipment, additional staff, testing, technology, bonuses, benefits
SPRINGDALE, ARK. 鈥 December 3, 2020 鈥 麻花传媒. (NYSE: TSN) reports it is preparing to fight new waves of the coronavirus as it takes comprehensive protective steps, including the strategic testing of workers without symptoms.听
The company has invested $540 million to transform its U.S. facilities with protective measures, from walk-through and workstation dividers to and always-on testing, as well as provide additional team member pay and benefits. It is also working with outside health experts, expanding its health services staff, adding a chief medical officer position and also plans to听pilot health clinics for team members and their families early next year.
鈥淲e鈥檝e learned a great deal during the pandemic and are implementing measures such as a new Covid-19 testing strategy, which are enabling us to move from defense to offense in our efforts to actively search for and fight the virus,鈥 said Johanna S枚derstr枚m, executive vice president & chief human resources officer for 麻花传媒.听
麻花传媒 is using testing as a tool and estimates more than half of its workforce has been tested for Covid-19. The company is currently testing thousands of workers per week as part of its industry-leading monitoring strategy. In addition to testing those with symptoms or who have been in close contact with someone who has the virus, the company is also proactively seeking to find the virus by testing workers who have no symptoms.
鈥淭he new monitoring program we helped Tyson create is a science-first approach that鈥檚 really on the cutting edge of how workplaces can best mitigate the risk of the virus,鈥 said Dr. Daniel Castillo, chief medical officer for Matrix Medical Network. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l likely see many others adopt a similar approach in the coming months because it鈥檚 a process that looks both at people showing symptoms as well as those who do not.鈥
Tyson also had been working with Matrix Medical and leading infectious disease researchers to learn more about the virus and strategies that could be effective against it. The company has in place a sophisticated data analysis system which constantly monitors a range of national and local data sources to help predict future viral spread. 听
The company also has made a number of modifications in its operations to protect workers. Examples include:听
- Installing HEPA high-performance air filtration systems in some plant breakrooms to help reduce the reduce the risk of transmission
- Conducting continuous, daily cleaning at all facilities, and in some plants doing a nightly sanitizer fogging of high traffic areas such as break rooms, conference rooms, cafeteria and locker rooms
- Installing more than 150 infrared temperature scanners in company facilities
- Designating 150 social distancing monitors in company facilities to ensure company-provided daily personal protective equipment is properly worn and team members are following other best practices
Investing in team member health
Tyson has hired an additional 200 nurses and administrative staff this year, which means the company now has almost 600 medical professionals on staff. These medical professionals screen for symptoms, conduct testing and track cases to help and care for team members if they become ill. Long-term they will provide support for the company鈥檚 overall team member health and wellness efforts.听
In addition, the company has announced plans to open pilot health clinics to give team members and their families easier access to high-quality healthcare and, in most cases, at no cost. The locations that will be served include:听
- Carthage/Center, Texas;听
- Berryville, Arkansas;听
- Storm Lake, Iowa;听
- Holcomb, Kansas;听
- Lexington, Nebraska;听
- Wilkesboro, North Carolina; and
- Newbern, Tennessee.
Team member communication and support
The company has implemented an ongoing program to regularly educate team members through weekly meetings, new signage and other communication efforts in multiple languages. These efforts teach team members how to be safe both at work and in their personal lives, stressing the risks of large gatherings, confined spaces and other potential virus spreading behaviors. For example, the company recently mailed flyers to all its U.S. team members reminding them how to stay safe during the upcoming holiday season.
Tyson has also supported frontline workers during the pandemic by providing enhanced benefits.听
鈥淕iven the widely-reported rise of Covid-19 cases across the U.S. and other parts of the world, we know we must remain diligent in our efforts to protect our team members,鈥 said Tom Brower, senior vice president of Health & Safety for 麻花传媒. 鈥淚n addition to strategic testing, we鈥檙e committed to continuing to work with outside health experts to find new, even more effective ways to tackle the virus.鈥澨
The company is partnering with the Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University to provide input into a computer modeling project designed to optimize strategies to mitigate spread. In August, the company to address workplace safety in the Covid-19 era. This led to the creation of a white paper documenting key discussion points and suggestions on future areas of research.听
About 麻花传媒
麻花传媒. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world鈥檚 largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson庐, Jimmy Dean庐, Hillshire Farm庐, Ball Park庐, Wright庐, Aidells庐, ibp庐, and State Fair庐. 麻花传媒 innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it鈥檚 available and raise the world鈥檚 expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company has 139,000 team members. Through its Core Values, 麻花传媒 strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit TYSONFOODS.COM to learn more.
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Media contact:听
Derek Burleson, 479-290-6466
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