Guerrero explains safety precautions taken at AgriStar to help prevent spread of COVID-19

Diane Guerrero, who has worked at AgriStar since 2008, shared the following information about safety precautions taken at the meat packing facility.  Guerrero, who is the director of HR/Health Safety/ IT and Security,  said, “AgriStar has been following CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommendations since earlier this year. The company has been complimented on its efforts.”

She explained, “Team members who work there have seen all the necessary precautions implemented. Time has been spent educating team members, handing out additional PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), modifying schedules, practicing social distancing, taking temperatures, assessing risks and so much more. Yet, people could still be carriers of the virus.”

She noted that the administration of the facility had requested testing weeks before it occurred. Yet, due to outbreaks in plants throughout the state, the testing was delayed until last week.

She added, “Supporting the plant and its efforts to keep the employees and the community safe is much more beneficial than speculating about possible outbreaks.”

She also said, “When I enter the plant, I see masks on people, temperatures being taken, guidelines on floors, digital signage, sharing of all types of COVID related information (in multiple languages), line spacing, table barriers, additional rest areas, hand sanitizers everywhere, and custodial crews working constantly.”

She explained that there are also signs asking employees not to leave Postville unless they need food or supplies.

Guerrero was among those tested last week. She said, “I feel fine. I sanitize in and out of my home, my car. I sanitize in the gas station, Walmart, grocery stores. I wipe cart handles, wear a mask so often I have bruises on my nose. I could be negative. I might be positive. Who should I blame if I am positive? It could have been anyone who touched a door handle just before me, or coughed in my direction. Could have been anyone who is positive without even knowing it. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all asked what more we can do to help those critical infrastructures stay open and healthy while not passing on negativity. Let’s all do what we can to help.”

The Postville Herald

The Postville Herald
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