Alberta Occupational Health and Safety has found that Cargill did not attempt to engage worker representation as it investigated what led to an outbreak of COVID-19 among workers at its meat-packing facility in High River.
According to a report from OHS, Cargill conducted the investigation without participation of the joint worksite health and safety committee, which is required under the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act. “The current OHS investigation thus far reveals Cargill did exclude worker representation in workplace health and safety processes, a violation of OHS Act,” UFCW Local 401 spokesperson Michael Hughes said in a statement on Sunday. “This happens as we are trying to raise concerns about the COVID-19 hazard.