COVID-19 and the national response to try and minimise its impact has created conditions most of us have never faced before.  The fact that agriculture is an essential service will bring relief to agricultural businesses, in that they can keep tending the land and produce under their care.  However, the sector is affected by the disruption and will need to be resourceful to ensure owners, workers and families stay safe.

While farmers are used to disruption and being more isolated than people in urban communities, it is still a stressful time. The agriculture sector has weathered a number of huge impacts over the last three years meaning mental health among the rural community is an issue, and the resources to deal with this are stretched. It is important at this time that you keep in touch with those around you, and think of new ways of communicating where needed.  Use the Farmstrong website for tips about living well on your farm.

Most farmers believe they have in place systems that reduce the possibility of contracting COVID-19 so the rural community may not experience as great a rate of infection. However, associated businesses, such as rural supply and processing, will be impacted, especially in the short-term, and this will create bottlenecks and delays.

WorkSafe has been deemed an essential service by the Government during the COVID-19 alert level four period. Our focus is on supporting those essential services that are keeping the rest of the country healthy, fed and secure.

We know it is a difficult balance between work health and safety and your critical work requirements, especially if you have a large number of staff who usually work in close proximity to each other.  When we talk to you about these situations we will take a reasonable and proportionate approach in an effort that you get the best outcome for you, your people, and those you deal with.

On our website we tell you how we will operate over the next few weeks and has information to help your business through this time. In order to protect our staff and you and your people, face-to-face meetings with essential services businesses will be kept to an absolute minimum and will only take place with approval from a Chief Inspector.

We have heard of great initiatives in the sector.  For example, some farms:

• have rules put in place where it is only ‘one person per vehicle’, and when possible, a particular vehicle is assigned to one person, allowing for hygiene and separation
• are including their young staff who live on farm in their “bubbles” so they can join evening meals to ensure they don’t feel isolated when they live away from friends and family in town
• are installing water boilers in sheds so workers can have smoko in a larger space rather than crowding round a table.

We have seen some great initiatives from suppliers and contractors to keep their businesses running and to keep farmers supplied.  Visit their websites or give them a call and see what they need to do and how this will overlap with what you want to do.

In addition, organisations like Federated Farmers, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, HorticultureNZ and DairyNZ have great information available.  They can be contacted by phone if your internet connection is weak.

Risks for farmers include:

• risk of transmission through shared equipment, working in close proximity
• the potential of not being able to get goods to market if a lack of people means produce can’t be processed
• animal welfare issues due to delays in processing or testing
• work not able to be completed due to lack of staff or contractor support
• financial hardship and crisis for those worst affected (especially on top of drought conditions)
• greater uncertainty about markets and world prices
• greater uncertainty over labour supply, particularly for those who rely on offshore labour (eg dairy, horticulture)
• reduced ability for rural services to deliver normal service levels due to COVID-19 alert level 4 restrictions and worker illness
• increased isolation for farmers and family members.

Lockdown restrictions may also lead to retired or semi-retired farmers who live in rural communities becoming suddenly isolated. Talking and connecting with each other and to support services that are being established is critical.

Businesses should:

• maintain or increase good hygiene practices
• talk to their key sector groups for information about business continuity, animal welfare and labour needs (eg RSTs, Dairy NZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, dairy company or co-op and Federated Farmers)
• ensure someone with COVID-like symptoms does not work
• keep any diagnosed workers away from others on the farm and, as a precaution, do not have them work with animals.

Some businesses have large numbers of staff, have shared shearing or seasonal accommodation, and / or have their own packing and warehousing facilities.   

• disinfect worker transport vehicles
• clean shared equipment and provide wipes / gloves to minimise possible transmission
• clean all surfaces at shift changeover
• prevent infection spread in seasonal accommodation by cleaning shared bathrooms, provide hand washing facilities and other cleaning / washing materials
• be vigilant with on-site traffic management and institute checking procedures
• ensure highly competent drivers and stackers are working to mitigate potential risks from pack houses / warehouses being overfilled / poorly stacked
• if achievable, test people coming onto site(eg truck drivers, service personnel) / workers for temperature.

You can find further information for essential businesses operating in COVID-19 alert level four on our website.