By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) – Seven U.S. plant subordinates of JBS USA LLC, a meat processor, have agreed to put in place an infectious disease preparedness plan following a U.S. Congress report that found the industry had failed to stop the spread of COVID-19 among its workers.

U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Friday that they had reached an agreement. OSHA said that both companies will collaborate with experts from outside to design and implement policies in engineering, ventilation and visitor screening.

OSHA stated that the agreement covers six plants operated by JBS units Swift Beef Co. Swift Pork Co. JBS Souderton Inc. and JBS Green Bay Inc.

JBS USA, a Brazilian subsidiary JBS SA (OTC:) said that its plans will draw on an existing “COVID-19” playbook that it has adopted. It outlines best practices and offers guidance for operators.

Seven workers from two JBS plants in Colorado and Wisconsin were killed by COVID-19 between 2020 and 2021. Nearly 650 people tested positive.

OSHA said Friday it discovered that facilities had failed to safeguard workers. It imposed $14,502 in penalties.

A Reuters analysis published January showed that COVID-19 was present in nearly 90% U.S. meat processing plants. In addition, four of the largest U.S. meat companies owned JBS. 269 of those workers died in that time.

John Rainwater is an OSHA representative in Dallas, Texas. He stated in a statement, that OSHA will enforce the JBS agreement to stop mass outbreaks.

This announcement follows two weeks of a U.S. House of Representatives report that stated JBS and large meat processors failed to take measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.