Best Management Practices

BMP’S TO PREVENT COVID-19 ENTERING OR SPREADING ON YOUR FARM

Each farm in Ontario needs to create a plan to minimize the entry and spread of COVID-19 on their farm and among their workforce. Most farms have protocols in place to address this need but reviewing and updating these on a frequent basis will maintain the integrity of these BMP’s. FCO has tried to provide a comprehensive list of resources on COVID-19 BMP’s, but even this can be overwhelming.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has developed an Agri-Food Sector Workplace Safety Toolkit. This is a single source for farmers on guidance, resources and information related to prevention, control, testing and outbreak management supports. OMAFRA has further information on best practices and information to help keep your workers safe and healthy, and your business in operation, during COVID-19 at the following link:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/agriculture-health-and-safety-during-covid-19

The Ministry of Labour Training and Skills Development has similar resources available in multiple languages available here:

• COVID-19 and workplace health and safety (in English and Spanish) - https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-coronavirus-and-workplace-health-and-safety
• Agriculture health and safety during COVID-19 (in English and Spanish) - https://www.ontario.ca/page/agriculture-health-and-safety-during-covid-19

The Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) also has a good resource which provides guidance on how to manage health and safety in agricultural businesses - this is a good place to start.
https://www.wsps.ca/wsps/media/site/resources/downloads/covid-19-agricultural-workers-health-and-safety-guidance.pdf?ext=.pdf

Perhaps even more valuable are the consulting services that Workplace Safety and Prevention Services will provide directly to Ontario farmers, farm organizations and provincially-licensed meat processors to help them manage COVID-19 occupational health and safety requirements and guidelines. Their Account Managers are available to help you with the Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program - Agriculture Producers, as well as to address your health and safety concerns. Please reach out to Customer Care to be connected with an Account Manager today.

For members that want to explore other tools and resources prepared by other groups please see the sections below.

COVID-19 – General Workplace Health and Safety Guidance and Advice:

• Canadian Horticultural Council – Preparing for COVID-19 on your farm - https://www.hortcouncil.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20.06.04-CHC-Guidance_Preparing-for-COVID-1.pdf
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety - https://www.ccohs.ca/images/products/pandemiccovid19/pdf/agriculture.pdf
• Government of Canada – Risk Mitigation Tools - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/guidance-documents/risk-informed-decision-making-workplaces-businesses-covid-19-pandemic.html

FCG/FCO suggests farms review a number of resources and build a custom farm prevention and control plan based on the unique needs and circumstances related to your operation. No two farms will have identical plans but all farms should have strategies developed and ideally available for review should staff or government need to evaluate it.