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The NI Health and Safety Executive has said it is in talks with poultry giant Moy Park to understand the circumstances of a worker’s death.
The Unite union claimed that the woman, in her 50s, had died after hiring Covid-19.
He asked that the factory where he worked in Dungannon be closed temporarily and that all staff be evaluated.
Moy Park said that important security measures had been in place for some time and that they were strictly followed.
Unite has written to prime and vice prime ministers demanding massive testing for agri-food workers and a special task force to oversee infection control in meat and poultry factories.
“Unite now confirmed that a Moy Park Dungannon-based worker died after contracting the Covid-19 virus,” said regional officer Sean McKeever.
“This is devastating news and we would like to extend our condolences to your friends and family,” he added.
The union asked the Northern Ireland Health and Safety Executive to make visits to Moy Park and other food production facilities to assess the effectiveness of the disease control measures.
- Concern about Covid-19 cases in NI meat plants
- Companies must ‘act together’ in social distancing
In an apparent turnaround, HSENI has confirmed that it is now conducting unannounced company inspections, with an emphasis on food processing companies and sites where there have been repeated complaints.
“We can confirm that a recent inspection was carried out without prior notice at a meat processing plant in Moy Park.
“Some minor problems were found, but overall compliance with the PHA COVID-19 guideline was found to be high level,” it said in a statement.
In a statement, Moy Park expressed sympathy to the family of the worker who had died.
The company said it had implemented a series of measures, including perspex screens, staggered breaks and improved cleaning.
“These measures have been in place for some time at all of our sites and are strictly followed,” the company said.
“These are also exactly the kind of measures that government guidance now calls for as other industries go back to work.”
Food companies have continued to work during the coronavirus crisis, but there have been problems in assuring staff that it was safe to continue.
In March, some employees at the Portadown plant in Moy Park organized a short walk because of concerns about protective measures in place for workers.
Since then, the executive has established an advisory committee involving employers, unions, health experts and HSENI to develop guidelines on safe work in factories and other facilities.
The guide emphasizes the need for social distancing and barrier methods for disease control where the 2m (6ft) rule cannot be followed.
Earlier, the Unite union highlighted what it said was a growing number of Covid 19 groups in meat plants and called for further executive action.
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Some staff members recently protested at Linden’s Dungannon facility
He said Linden Foods in Dungannon had had seven positive cases and was aware of problems at other meat plants.
Linden, who employs 1,100 people in the city, confirmed that several staff members tested positive in recent weeks.
A six-figure sum has been spent on social distancing measures including Perspex displays and temperature controls on staff, and he has staggered start and break times to eat in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus.
Omagh Meats also confirmed that he had also had a number of positive cases among workers after a story in the Tyrone Herald.
He said other workers were being tested and was following protocols.
As key workers, agri-food personnel are eligible for testing under the government scheme, which is using specialized centers to try to increase the number of NHS personnel and other essential sectors that are controlled.
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