COVID-19 Farm Guide

UNDERSTANDING COVID-19

Symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild illness to fatal pneumonia and include fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath.
Queensland Health have more information available on COVID-19 signs and symptoms.

  • Fever – A normal temperature will range between 36-37oC
  • Flu-like symptoms, such as coughing or sneezing
  • Difficulty breathing, which may develop into pneumonia
  • Sore throat
  • Fatigue
    Not sure of your symtoms? Take the COVID-19  Health Quiz HERE
Learn More

HOW TO MINIMISE RISKS OF COVID-19 WHILST ON YOUR FARM

 

CONTROL ACCESS

Check that staff and contractors are healthy before they arrive at your farm and that they have not been in contact with a known COVID-19 case in the previous 14 days. Staff and contractors should be advised to stop working and inform you if they begin to feel unwell or develop a fever.

Keep a record by using a Personal Disclosure Statement for staff, visitors and contractors and making sure labour contractors have a plan to minimise the risk of their staff being infected. 

Queensland Health requires a Workplace Health Management Plan to be submitted by all businesses who employ workers who do not return to their usual place of residence each day. 

If you are a business that employs workers who return to their place of residence at the end of each shift, you are required under Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) requirements to have a WHS management plan in place. This is not required to be submitted but must be made available to WHS inspectors when required.

BFVG Financial Grower Members can access Pre-filled Health Management & WHS Management Plan templates HERE

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

  •  Limit physical interactions between workers and ensure there is space for people to keep at least 1.5m apart, where this is not possible, have an effective plan in place to minimise risk of exposure to workers
  • Limit the number of people on your farm at any one time (for example, only one contracting group at a time), postpone non-essential work or rescheduling work if necessary
  • Avoid handshakes, or any other close personal contact

PERSONAL HYGIENE

  • Advise everyone to cover coughs and sneezes with an elbow or tissue which should be immediately disposed of
  • Provide facilities and supplies of soap and warm water for regular and thorough hand washing
  • encourage the use of hand sanitisers
  • clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, tables and bathrooms and monitor supply levels 
  • ensure cigarette butts are binned and strongly discourage spitting

WORKSPACE HYGIENE

  • Ensure farm machinery and tools are cleaned after use with a product containing at least 60% alcohol. Provide cleaning agents and training to ensure surfaces are cleaned properly.
  • In addition to the usual requirements associated with the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during operations such as the use of farm chemicals, consider making additional PPE available such as gloves and face masks available to be used if workers or family members exhibit symptoms or wish to further minimise their exposure. The Department of Health does not currently recommend masks for use by healthy members of the public.

 

 

 

COVID-19 Support Updates

Border Restrictions and Entry Requirements

[Source: Queensland Government]

  • Identified Hotspots, entry into Queensland is not allowed if a person has been in a hotspot in the last 14days
  • People who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days will only be able to enter Queensland if they are a returning Queensland resident, a new Queensland resident, or under an exemption for essential activities. More info
  • All other visitors to Queensland require a valid border declaration pass

Reducing workforce impacts related to COVID-19

[Source: Safe Food Queensland]

  • Developed in collaboration with the Queensland Agriculture Coordination Group – Workplace Health and Safety Working Group
  • Resource should be used in conjunction with Safe Food Checklist for reducing workforce impact from COVID-19

Download the PDF

Isolation for Coronavirus

[Source: Australian Government, Department of Health]

A person with COVID-19 or who is suspected to have it must go into mandatory isolation as directed by their public health authority. Read more about what isolation is, steps you should take while in isolation, and what to do if you live with someone in isolation.

Visit the website for more information HERE

Coronavirus and workplace laws

[Source: Fairwork Ombudsman]

The Fairwork website covers workplace laws, obligations and entitlements for:

  • employers and employees affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • employers and employees participating in the JobKeeper scheme

Visit the website for more information HERE

National COVID-19 safe workplace principles

[Source: Safe Work Australia]

  • Workplace Guidelines
  • Printable Guides and resources

Visit the website for more information HERE

COVID-19 workplace risk management

[Source: Worksafe Queensland]

  • Provide hand washing facilities and make sure these are kept clean, properly stocked and in good working order.
  • Provide alcohol-based hand sanitiser, tissues and cleaning supplies.
  • Promote good hygiene practices, e.g. hygiene display posters. 
  • Keep the workplace clean and hygienic.
  • Managing the work environment and facilities guide DOWNLOAD

Learn more HERE

Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19

[Source: World Health Organization]

Employers should start doing these things now, even if COVID-19 has not arrived in the communities where they operate. They can already reduce working days lost due to illness and stop or slow the spread of COVID-19 if it arrives at one of your workplaces.

Download guide HERE

Quarantine for Coronavirus

[Source: Australian Government, Department of Health]

Quarantine is when you are well but may have been in contact with someone with COVID-19. In such cases, you must stay in quarantine for 14 days to prevent the spread of the virus. Read more about what quarantine is, who must go into quarantine, and what to do if you live with someone in quarantine.

Visit the website for more information HERE

Changes to Visa Conditions

[Source: Department of Home Affairs]

  • Seasonal worker programme and pacific islander scheme workers can extend their stay for up to 12mths for approved employers
  • Working holiday makers (WHM) will be exempt from the conditions of working with one employer for more than 6mths and may be eligible for afurther visa if their visa is due to expire in the next 6mths.

View Visa condition information HERE

COVID-19 Guidelines for the fresh produce industry

[Source: PMA-ANZ]

  • Ensuring the ongoing supply of fresh produce to Australian and New Zealnd consumbers, thereby supporting good nutrition and food security in this challenging time
  • Facilitating, as far as possible, business continuity, thereby ensuring businesses survive and there is ongoing job security for you workforce

Download the PDF

Isolation for Coronavirus

[Source: Australian Government, Department of Health]

A person with COVID-19 or who is suspected to have it must go into mandatory isolation as directed by their public health authority. Read more about what isolation is, steps you should take while in isolation, and what to do if you live with someone in isolation.

Visit the website for more information HERE

Quarantine for Coronavirus

[Source: Australian Government, Department of Health]

Quarantine is when you are well but may have been in contact with someone with COVID-19. In such cases, you must stay in quarantine for 14 days to prevent the spread of the virus. Read more about what quarantine is, who must go into quarantine, and what to do if you live with someone in quarantine.

Visit the website for more information HERE

Disclaimer

BFVG continues to update the information on our website as the COVID-19 situation develops and information is made available to us. The content provided is current as at the time of the last update. It should not be viewed as legal advice but represents information collated through the BFVG networks and freely available content from relevant informants. We encourage you to regularly check this page for more information and if doubt to seek appropriate advice related to your query.

Questions or Suggestions