Smithfield plant workers walk out after fourth death
The gist
About 100 workers walked out at Smithfield's Monmouth, Illinois pork plant after a co-worker's death.
The company calls it optional time off, leaving core safety questions unresolved.
How it unfolded
- May 2025An OSHA inspection opened in May 2025 resulted in a serious hazard-communication violation involving employee exposure to carbon dioxide, with the penalty reduced from $8,038 to $5,627.
- Jan 10, 2026At Smithfield's Tar Heel, North Carolina plant, 43-year-old worker Abundio Villa Miranda died on 10 January 2026 after reportedly falling.
- Feb 2026Inspectors recorded a serious lockout-tagout violation after two employees cleaning an auger were exposed to amputation hazards, with an initial $14,188 penalty later reduced to $9,931.60 following an informal settlement in July.