Worker Died of COVID After Staff Meeting at Washington Business

An investigation into the COVID-19 death of a worker at a Sumner, Washington, fish processing plant found company leaders knowingly putting workers at risk of exposure to the virus.

The Washington state Department of Labor & Industries cited and fined Shining Ocean Inc. $56,000 for not enforcing mask use and other rules during a Nov. 4, 2021 staff meeting, reportedly resulting in 16 workers becoming infected, one of whom died.

Only three or four of the 23 people who attended the meeting were reportedly wearing a mask. The company also reportedly had no system in place to verify worker vaccination status.

Employees reportedly told investigators that the company president told them it’s their personal choice whether or not to wear a mask.

The violation is classified as willful serious, and Shining Ocean will be subject to increased scrutiny from L&I as part of the severe violator program.

The company did not appeal the citation and paid the fine in full. That money goes into the workers’ compensation supplemental pension fund, helping workers and families of those who have died on the job.

Topics Washington