RESIDENTS in Chard are concerned a factory is putting its employees at risk of coronavirus - but the company insist their “processes are Covid-secure”.

Your News has received reports from workers, and friends of those who work at Oscar Mayer, about a sharp rises in cases and an increase in numbers self-isolating.

Employees are concerned social distancing is not being obeyed; people in contact with the virus are not correctly informed about self-isolation and are worried that mask wearing inside the factory is not mandatory.

Workers are said to be “frustrated” with the situation and do not want to “risk their own and families’ lives”.

Oscar Mayer says the spread of the virus is in the Chard community - not just the factory - which has had an impact on local businesses.

“Fortunately, Oscar Mayer has remained open throughout, to ensure the vital supply of chilled foods to the country’s supermarkets,” said a spokesperson for the company.

“This is because unlike other businesses, the food manufacturing sector is subject to stringent health and hygiene practices, all verified with the Health & Safety Executive.

“Regular deep cleaning is the norm, production lines and equipment are cleaned at least several times per day and, at night, a full hygiene team cleans the entire factory. Since the pandemic’s onset we have been working closely with the local health authorities to ensure our processes are, and remain, Covid-secure.

“In line with guidance we have increased the cleaning of common touch points such as door handles, bannisters and desks.

“We have installed plastic screens, like those in shops and supermarkets, although we do not mandate the wearing of facemasks as they are totally ineffective in a chilled, moist environment, as the HSE will confirm.”

We have been unable to find the relevant guidance.

Workers also claim they have asked for furlough, which has not been granted.

Oscar Mayer have said they have put on furlough those who are “extremely vulnerable” or allowed them to work from home.

However they have added that the “furlough scheme is really for those whose businesses are unable to operate during the pandemic”, unlike theirs which is “crucial” to the food supply chain.

“No one is allowed on site if they have tested positive or have symptoms,” the spokesperson added. “It is totally untrue and simply scaremongering to suggest otherwise.

“Also, anyone who is identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive (either due to being in the same household or from car sharing etc) must also isolate.

“We pay full sick pay in these circumstances so that employees are not financially disadvantaged by doing the right thing.

“We do not, and have never, compromised on these rules. The full test and trace system is of course run by the NHS and not by us. All our staff know the rules and also understand that if they have come into contact with someone who has tested positive it is against the law not to self-isolate.”

Oscar Mayer has also insisted they give any updates on the virus to management teams every week and send fortnightly bulletins to the whole site.

But the workers have explained that they have not received any “official” information on how to proceed once being in contact with an infected person.

“We recognise that some people in the community may be fearful, though they are not helped by allowing a false narrative as to our Covid-security to take hold – hence our regular communication of the facts and corrections of any fallacies,” added the spokesperson.

Oscar Mayer’s Chard site is set to close this year, after the company announced it was struggling to meet the demand for meet-free meals at the site. They have now bought a site in Wales, which will supply non-meat meals.