COVID-19 GUIDEFOR GRAIN GROWERSAs of 16 July 2020

Contents

The health and safety of your workforce 4

Symptoms of COVID-19 4

Who to contact for information and advice about COVID-19 4

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 5

Cleaning and disinfection 5

Hand hygiene 5

Minimise exposure 6

Restricting access on farm 6

Farm visa workers 6

What to do if the symptoms of COVID-19 are displayed on-farm 6

What to do if an employee is confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 7

Returning to work after a confirmed case of COVID-19 7

Planning ahead 8

Support organisations 8

Inputs update 11

Hand hygiene poster 12

Social distancing poster 13

Close contact register 14

GrainGrowers has developed this information guide to assist growers with general information as the effects of COVID-19 are being felt. It does not constitute legal or official advice. Advice and direction given by public health officials and the Department of Agriculture must be followed.

It is important that you make adaptions appropriate for your business during this time.

The Department of Agriculture has emphasised the essential industry nature of what you do as grain producers. The Department has established a core team to work on COVID-19 related issues to ensure the food and wider agricultural supply chain have the support they need.

Please contact the GrainGrowers team with any issues you may experience as a result of government orders that have been imposed that may have unintended consequences on your operations.

COVID-19 GUIDE FOR GRAIN GROWERS

Freecall 1800 620 519

enquiry@graingrowers.com.au

www.graingrowers.com.au

The health and safety of your workforceIt is important that all employees (including contract staff) are briefed on the preventive measures and other information related to COVID-19.

Infection is most likely to be spread by:

• Direct contact with someone who is actively infected.

• Close contact with someone with a confirmed infection.

• Touching objects or surfaces contaminated by mucus or droplets from a cough of sneeze and then touching your face, mouth or eyes.

The best defence against COVID-19 is:

• Practicing good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene

• Adherence to existing biosecurity measures taken on-farm.

• Avoiding touching your face, especially your mouth, nose and eyes.

covid–19: Identifying the symptoms

Symptoms COVID-19Symptoms range from mild to severe

ColdGradual onset of symptoms

FluAbrupt onset of symptoms

Fever Common Rare Common

Cough Common Common Common

Sore Throat Sometimes Common Common

Shortness of Breath

Sometimes No No

Fatigue Sometimes Sometimes Common

Aches & Pains

Sometimes No Common

Headaches Sometimes Common Common

Runny or Stuffy Nose

Sometimes Common Sometimes

Diarrhea Rare No Sometimes, especially for children

Sneezing No Common No

Together we can help stop the spread and stay healthy.For more information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) visit health.gov.au

Adapted from material produced by WHO, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Together we can help stop the spread and stay healthy.

For more information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) visit health.gov.au

Cough or sneeze into your arm

Use a tissue

Bin the tissue Wash your hands

Simple steps to help stop the spread.

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra

Symptoms of COVID-19• Fever

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Shortness of breath

• Fatigue

• Possibly runny nose, chills and body aches

Who to contact for information and advice about COVID-19Visit www.health.gov.au/covid19-resources or call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require interpreting services, call 131 450.

4 COVID-19 Guide for Grain Growers

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)Do not change existing practices regarding respirators, coveralls, gloves and other PPE required for spraying.

The Department of Health does not currently recommend masks for use by healthy members of the public for the prevention of COVID-19. Supplies of masks in Australia are limited and it is imperative health workers are able to secure these.

Cleaning and disinfection Ensure rigorous cleaning and disinfection practices are followed. For example, when people finish time in the tractor or seeder, these should be thoroughly wiped down, including steering wheels, handles and other points of contact. Consider stepping up a cleaning program and having an allocated time each day.

Review the Australian Government guidelines for cleaning.

If there are staff communal areas, ensure these are regularly cleaned and disinfected.

Pay attention to stainless steel and plastic surfaces as the virus can stay viable on these materials for up to 2-3 days.

Do a review of your enterprise to identify areas, surfaces and equipment that may need to be included in a cleaning program.

Provide cleaning supplies for staff to use and consider signage around best cleaning practice.

Hand hygienePractising good hand hygiene is the best defence against COVID-19.

All staff and visitors to the farm should be encouraged to wash their hands frequently with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.

A refresher course on effective hand washing technique is recommended as well as signage or posters (see page 10 for your free copy) on display at hand washing stations.

Practising good hand hygiene is the best defence.

COVID-19 Guide for Grain Growers 5

Minimise exposureConsider ways of minimising the number of close contacts you or your staff may be exposed to during the day. Ask employees to avoid congregating in communal areas.

Restricting access on farm It is recommended that you implement more stringent access requirements for those coming on-farm.

This includes:

• No entry for non-essential visitors.

• Confirmation from essential visitors (including contractors or casual staff) that they have not been overseas in the past 14 days.

• Confirmation from essential visitors (including contractors or casual staff) that they have not been in contact with someone who has been overseas in the past 14 days.

• Interstate visitors self-isolate for 14 days.

• Ensure all staff are aware that they should not come to work if they have been in close contact with someone who has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.

• Ensure all staff are aware they cannot be at work if waiting for a COVID-19 test result.

• Ask employees before the commencement of a shift if they are unwell or experiencing any symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

Farm Visa workersThe Government will apply flexible arrangements to allow critical workers, including Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme participants and Working Holiday Makers, to extend their stay in Australia:

Seasonal Worker Programme workers with visas due to expire will be able to apply for a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa in the Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream.

Pacific Labour Scheme workers with visas due to expire can apply for a new Temporary Work (International Relations) (subclass 403) Pacific Labour scheme stream visa.

Workers currently in Australia under these programs will also be exempt from the requirement to work for a single employer and will be able to move between approved employers.

In addition, Working Holiday Makers who are working in critical sectors (eg agriculture, aged or health care) will be exempt from the six month work limitation with one employer and eligible for a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa in the Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream.

Employers are still required to abide by all relevant Australian workplace laws. Overseas workers, including international students, have the same rights under Australian workplace law as all other employees.

What to do if an employee is confirmed to be infected with COVID-19Please follow all advice and directions given by the public health officials.

GrainGrowers provides the following information as a guide only:

• Close contacts of confirmed infections should self-isolate for 14 days immediately. Close contact is anyone who has been within 1.5metres of an infected person for a cumulative time of at least 2 hours at any time in the 24 hours prior to the first symptoms being experienced. It can also include face-to-face contact for a period of 15 minutes.

14DAYS

• Employees who feel they are at higher risk due to age (65 and over) or who have an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, respiratory issues or heart disease, should be allowed (but not required) to stay home, as a precaution.

• In the event of a confirmed case on your farm, you will be engaging with a local public health unit.

6 COVID-19 Guide for Grain Growers

Consider stepping up a

cleaning program and having an allocated time

each day.

What to do if the signs of COVID-19 are displayed on-farmIf you, a member of your family or staff experience cold or flu symptoms, immediately self-isolate (or ask the employee to go home and self-isolate) and if necessary, seek medical attention.

Call your Doctor or healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

Do not visit any public places.

Ask the person exhibiting symptoms to list the areas they have visited on the property and record who they might have come into close contact with.

Adhere to all instructions given by medical authorities.

Remember that all employee medical records are confidential and you must not disclose to co-workers the medical status of any individual.

Returning to work after a confirmed case of COVID-19Do not return to work until your situation has been resolved. Provide evidence that you are fit to return.

Where staff have been infected with COVID-19 and have recovered, it will be important to reassure their work colleagues that their reintroduction into the workplace is safe.

You should encourage employees to continue good hygiene practices, both in the workplace and at home, to help stay free of illness.

COVID-19 Guide for Grain Growers 7

Planning aheadYou may like to complete a similar table for your business:

Consideration Action takenEmployee movements Logbook for staff to complete each day with who they’ve

been in contact with and any areas on and off farm visited.

Suppliers and services including input requirements over the coming months

List of your contacts.

Alternative options if they were not available.

Risk assessment for your business if inputs or farm labour unavailable.

Diminished workforce Develop a work plan: could an alternate workforce be secured? Could you upskill others?

Travel restrictions If you farm on a state border, do you have staff coming across it?

Visit graingrowers.com.au for an interactive map with the latest border information including travel pass links.

Will you need to pick up parts, inputs or have machinery services across a state bored? Carry your purchase order/invoice with you.

Follow advice in “Restricting access on farm” and consider self-isolation periods if recruiting interstate staff.

Recruiting and training new staff Consider redundancies across other sectors, are there transferable skills you could use?

If you were to train larger numbers of staff than you normally would, are there any employees who could mentor or take on additional management responsibilities?

Communicating with your direct customers Have you been in touch about the preparations you have been making?

Are there any factors from them you need to consider?

Support organisationsThe coming months will present unprecedented challenges. The following organisations may be of assistance:

Lifeline 13 11 14

Beyond Blue 1300 224 636

Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

MensLine Aus 1300 789 978

ReachOut au.reachout.com

National Farmers’ Federation will be keeping farmhub.org.au updated as well.

8 COVID-19 Guide for Grain Growers

Provide cleaning supplies for staff to use.

TOP TIPS FROM OTHER GROWERS:GrainGrowers has been compiling hints and suggestions from members. Get in touch with yours!

Send all your suppliers an email or ring them to arrange a collection time to minimise time spent at their facility.

If possible, have a separate toilet and wash house for staff. Ensure it’s regularly sterilised and cleaned.

Dedicate the use of specific machines to designated staff members so it limits amount of people handling equipment.

Be strategic about trips out and about to minimise contact. Perhaps adjust meal plans to simplify shopping trips and prioritise products that last.

Prepare individual “kits” for each member of staff that has their own hand sanitiser and packet of wipes.

COVID-19 Guide for Grain Growers 9

JOIN GRAINGROWERS TODAY!If you are an Australian grain farmer over the age of 18, with an ordinary interest in 20 hectares or more of grain under cultivation, join over 17,000 grower members and become a part of GrainGrowers, the voice for Australian growers. Membership is free!

Join online or email membership@graingrowers.com.au for further information.

Provide hand sanitiser

10 COVID-19 Guide for Grain Growers

Inputs updateVisit GrainGrowers COVID-19 resource page for detailed responses on grower questions and concerns from Elders, Delta Agribusiness, Nutrien and Bayer. They have provided updates on supply and demand challenges, what the anticipated issues might be for the season and advice for growers on securing inputs. They have also provided information on the measures the businesses have put in place to manage supply chains and local branches to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure continuity of services and supplies.

COVID-19 Guide for Grain Growers 11

GrainGrowers Hand Hygiene posterAvailable for download graingrowers.com.au/people-and-farm-safety

HAND WASHING TIPSPractising good hand hygiene is the best defence against COVID-19

Remove any jewellery and wet hands with running water.

Apply soap. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds.

Dry hands thoroughly with a paper towel.

Rinse hands and turn off tap.

Rub all areas including in between fingers, fingernails and wrists.

1

4 5 6

2 3

12 COVID-19 Guide for Grain Growers

SOCIAL DISTANCINGHelp stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)

Keep a distance of 1.5 metres from others.

Avoid shaking hands or hugging.

Cough or sneeze into your elbow or tissue –

not your hand.

Stay at home and avoid crowds and public gatherings.

Avoid touching your face.

Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds.

1.5m

GrainGrowers Social Distancing posterAvailable for download graingrowers.com.au/people-and-farm-safety

COVID-19 Guide for Grain Growers 13

CLOSE CONTACT REGISTERWhat is considered close contact?

A person is a close contact of another person if they are in the company of another person:

• Within an enclosed space for a period of 2 hours or longer or

• Within 1.5 metres of the other person for a period of 15 minutes or longer

Name Time & Date Phone Location

14 COVID-19 Guide for Grain Growers

Name Time & Date Phone Location

COVID-19 Guide for Grain Growers 15

1800 620 519

enquiry@graingrowers.com.au

www.graingrowers.com.au

@GrainGrowersLtd

GrainGrowers

@graingrowers

@Grain Growers Limited

Stay in touch with GrainGrowersGraingrowers.com.au has the latest information and resources to keep you supported over the coming weeks.

Contact the team with any challenges or issues that you encounter.