Dairy farm businesses need to have a plan to protect themselves from the impacts of COVID-19, according to Agriculture Victoria.
The business needs to have a plan for how it would continue if one of the business owners or workers needed to self isolate.
The threat of a COVID-19 outbreak to dairy businesses was made evident with the recent outbreak in Shepparton, Vic.
The Victorian Government has provided resources to help business have a COVIDSafe plan are in place.
This includes:
It is mandatory for every Victorian business with on-site operations to have a COVIDSafe Plan.
To ensure compliance, random spot checks are occurring throughout Victoria.
The COVIDSafe Plan must demonstrate:
- Actions to help prevent the introduction of COVID-19 to the workplace.
- The type of face mask or personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the workforce.
- How the business will prepare for, and respond to, a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the workplace.
- How the business will meet all the requirements set out by the Victorian Government. Some industries or workplaces are subject to additional industry obligations and have additional requirements of employers and employees.
- Businesses must review and update their COVIDSafe Plans regularly, especially when restrictions or public health advice changes.
Organisations with multiple worksites must complete a COVIDSafe Plan for each worksite.
Creating workforce bubbles is one of six principles of COVIDSafe workplaces.
Farmers should consider keeping groups of workers rostered on the same shifts at a single worksite and avoid any overlap of workers during shift changes where it is practical to do so.
Border travel restrictions
Farms should be aware of the restrictions around travel between different states.
This may apply to the farmer, their staff or contractors used on the farm.
These include specified worker permits, Victorian Travel Permits and NSW/Victoria Border Bubble restrictions.
Business support
The Victorian Government has a range of business COVID-19 Business Support resources.
Business Victoria provides information on restrictions and support to help businesses develop a workplace plan and respond to COVID-19.
Keep up to date with all the latest restrictions, permits and requirements at coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
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