Four positives: Abattoir remains closed

Four positive COVID cases at Radford’s abattoir in Warragul looks set to shut down the meat works operation until the end of next week.

Two production floor staff tested positive to COVID over the weekend, immediately shutting down production.

Fifty staff have been identified as tier one contacts, while a further 50 staff are considered tier two contacts.

Two additional staff received positive test results yesterday.

R. Radford and Son chief executive officer Paul Scanlon said it was unlikely the abattoir would be able to resume operations until staff had completed the 14 day quarantine period.

He said they were still hopeful yesterday of resuming operations by the end of this week but now it was “unlikely we are going to be up and running within the 14 days.”

“It is a very challenging time from a business point of view,” he said.

Mr Scanlon said a 14 day shut down would cost the company about $250,000 in lost production.

He said it was a massive financial loss to the company and it appeared there was no government support for businesses forced to cease production.

Mr Scanlon said about 12 staff were waiting results.

He said the four positive results so far indicated a common link in where the staff worked on the production chain.

“On the production floor they are working side-by-side.  We have our COVID safe plan in place, with all the right cleaning but in some areas it’s not possible to maintain the 1.5 metres.

“The positive cases have come from a similar part of the chain…they were working geographically closer together,” he said.

Mr Scanlon said Radfords had continued to process meat off site at three other Victorian abattoirs.

While this arrangement enabled them to continue serving Victoria customers, they had ceased supply to Sydney.

Mr Scanlon said this meant 40 per cent of their turnover had ceased.

Mr Scanlon said livestock was sent to three other abattoirs for slaughter and then the meat was brought back to the Warragul site for distribution.

He said load-out and truck staff were considered tier two contacts and had returned to work following negative tests.

Mr Scanlon said in recent works some abattoirs had been in similar positions and forced to look elsewhere for processing.

“Last week we proceeded on behalf of another abattoir and they have now unfortunately had to do the same for us.

“Even though we are competitors, the industry has supported each other.

“Rob (Radford) has been in the industry a long time and has good relationships with other processors so we have been able to get these arrangements in place.

“It is very much appreciated and allows us to continue to supply our customers.  But it does come at a cost with double handling,” he said.

Mr Scanlon said supervisors and managers were maintaining contact with staff to maintain communication and check on their health and wellbeing.

“We want to keep everyone up to date and help them access government support,” he said.