Protecting farm workers during COVID-19

From Hastings Mutual Insurance

Farms need to keep strong safety measures in place as employees continue to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sick workers need to stay at home. Any employee who arrives at work sick or feels ill during the workday should be isolated from others and sent home as soon as possible.

Encourage and educate simple hygiene practices like washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds and/or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol content. Handwashing stations with soap and water must be made available to workers in the field as well as immediately outside or inside all buildings where employees are working, eating or drinking. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces regularly throughout the workday.

People should stay at least 6 feet away from each other whenever possible and wear a face covering to reduce their risk of spreading the virus to others, if they are carrying it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has guidelines and promotional items like printable signs available for use on your farm. The website is www.cdc.gov.

Listen to the Dairy Stream podcast for more tips on protecting farm employees from COVID-19.