A Covid-19 Outbreak in a Large Meat-Processing Plant in England
Transmission Risk Factors and Controls
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15511405 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Yiqun Chen (0000-0003-0672-9217, Health & Safety Laboratory, corresponding author), Helen Beattie (Health & Safety Laboratory), Andrew Simpson (0000-0001-6584-6451, Health and Safety Executive), Andrew T Simpson (Health & Safety Laboratory), Gillian Nicholls (0000-0003-3339-8898, Health & Safety Laboratory), Vince Sandys (0009-0000-0911-5945, Health & Safety Laboratory), Chris Keen (Health & Safety Laboratory), Andrew Curran (Health & Safety Laboratory) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue | 19 |
| Pages | 6806-6806 |
| Publication date | 2023-09-22 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph20196806 |
| OpenAlex | W4386997007 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 36 |
The meat-processing industry had frequent COVID-19 outbreaks reported worldwide. In May 2021, a large meat-processing plant in the UK had an outbreak affecting 4.1% (63/1541) of workers. A rapid on-site investigation was conducted to understand the virus transmission risk factors and control measures. This included observational assessments of work activities, control measures, real-time environmental measurements and surface microbial sampling. The production night-shift attack rate (11.6%, 44/380) was nearly five times higher than the production day-shift (2.4%, 9/380). Shared work transport was provided to 150 staff per dayshift and 104 per nightshift. Production areas were noisy (≥80 dB(A)) and physical distancing was difficult to maintain. Face visors were mandatory, additional face coverings were required for some activities but not always worn. The refrigeration system continuously recirculated chilled air. In some areas, the mean temperature was as low as 4.5 °C and mean relative humidity (RH) was as high as 96%. The adequacy of ventilation in the production areas could not be assessed reliably using CO2, due to the use of CO2 in the packaging process. While there were challenges in the production areas, the observed COVID-19 control measures were generally implemented well in the non-production areas. Sixty surface samples from all areas were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and 11.7% were positive. Multi-layered measures, informed by a workplace specific risk assessment, are required to prevent and control workplace outbreaks of COVID-19 or other similar respiratory infectious diseases
2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Betacoronavirus · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Disease · Environmental health · Geography · Infectious disease (medical specialty · Outbreak · Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 · Telecommunications · Transmission (telecommunications · COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts · Engineering · Food Supply Chain Traceability · Infection Control and Ventilation · Medicine · Internal Medicine · Virology
Stability of Sars-CoV-2 in different environmental conditions
Assessment of Environmental and Occupational Risk Factors for the Mitigation and Containment of a Covid-19 Outbreak in a Meat Processing Plant
Investigation of a Sars-CoV-2 Outbreak at an Automotive Manufacturing Site in England
A Sars-CoV-2 outbreak in a plastics manufacturing plant
| Citations per year | 0.5 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2024 - 2024 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |