Essential workers include the people who farm, harvest, package and prepare our food. Manufacturing workers across industries continue to come together to work production lines and other essential jobs during the pandemic, and many employers have taken steps to keep their workers safe on the job.
"The field employees want to know specifically what this customer is providing to the public that makes them an essential business," said Rebeca Ramirez. She is Continuous Improvement Manager at IES Staffing, an Idaho company providing short-to-medium term workers to employers across southern Idaho.
She said companies hiring staff have enhanced safety protocols, including increasing the number of breaks for workers and slowing down production lines. Some of her employees have still decided against working right now.
"The number of employees that ended assignment were probably a few here and there, depending on what the industry was with that customer," Ramirez said. While some employees decided to put work on hold, others have continued to go where they are needed. "[There have been] No complaints from employees. They all feel pretty safe," Ramirez said.
But that’s not the case everywhere. The Idaho Press reported employees at a local care facility with multiple locations have filed complaints with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA. A regional OSHA spokesperson declined an interview request, and did not say how many complaints they have received specific to the coronavirus outbreak.
Nationally, OSHA has received 2,292 complaints and 648 whistleblower complaints since February 1. The administration has also received 114 self-reported and direct contact referrals in that time.
On its website, OSHA says many coronavirus-related worksite complaints have been about a lack of protective equipment or lack of training about how to stay safe at work. The agency has issued guidance for companies on dealing with the risk of the pandemic, including specific guidance for healthcare workers and other employers where workers could come into close contact during regular business operations.
Simplot is one of Idaho's largest companies, with multiple divisions spread across agriculture and food production. In a statement, the company said it would normally have about 10% of its workforce provided by firms like IES Staffing, but has reduced external staffing in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The company has also restricted travel and visitation, increased its cleaning and sanitizing efforts and is providing masks to employees.
At IES, Alex Martinez-Rivas is Compliance and Training Officer. He feels confident the steps employers are taking for the safety of his workforce.
"As long as you take the necessary precautions to keep them safe, as long as you provide them with hand sanitizer, as long as you provide them with proper PPE, as long as you inform them of that when they get onto the site, there's going to be extra precautions taken to make sure that they're safe: They feel comfortable going to work," he said.
Follow Troy Oppie on Twitter @GoodBadOppie for more local news.
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