February 8, 2021

 

New programme verifies effectiveness of Tyson Foods' COVID-19 risk mitigation efforts

 

 

Tyson Foods, Inc. is piloting a new Matrix Medical Network (Matrix) programme that assesses, addresses, verifies and monitors the effectiveness of the company's efforts to protect workers from COVID-19.

 

More than a dozen Tyson Foods plant locations, including some of the company's largest facilities, are participating. Six have already received safety verification and seven more are in the process of being assessed. 

 

The Matrix Certification Program was developed in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic, one of the United States' largest health systems, and is designed to help verify and monitor that businesses are taking appropriate measures to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

 

The programme takes a multi-disciplinary approach to workplace safety verification that includes:

 

- On-site assessments based on the latest guidelines from the CDC, OSHA and state regulations;

 

- Best-in-class protocols based on the well-established clinical and industry expertise of Cleveland Clinic and Matrix;

 

- Actionable recommendations to address identified health and safety gaps;

 

- Ongoing updates on evolving COVID-19 guidance and regulations.

 

Additionally, a safety verification seal, that indicates alignment to certification standards, will be issued for a year and includes another on-site assessment after six months to ensure continued compliance with current guidelines.

 

"Our company has made tremendous progress in our efforts to protect our team members by transforming our facilities and implementing an always-on testing strategy," said Tom Brower, senior vice president of health and safety for Tyson Foods. "We believe this certification by outside health experts confirms we're using best-in-class measures to combat the virus. And, what we learn from the plants where we're piloting this programme can also be applied at other company locations across the country."

 

"Matrix has been working closely with Tyson since the beginning of the pandemic setting up mobile health clinics, conducting risk assessments and collaborating with the company on testing strategies," said Matrix chief medical officer Daniel Castillo, M.D. "The new certification programme brings together the Matrix risk assessment and COVID-19 experience and the deep clinical expertise of Cleveland Clinic to establish and sustain healthy, safe and productive workplaces for Tyson employees."

 

The certification programme is the latest in a series of continuous improvement measures

 

Tyson Foods has taken to fight new waves of COVID-19. During fiscal 2020, the company invested US$540 million to transform its US facilities with protective measures,.

 

- Tyson Foods