PREPARING YOUR FARM TO STAY SAFE FROM COVID 19
Over the last few weeks, I have been thinking (and stressing) a lot about what we would do if someone on our farm tested positive for Covid 19. What would happen? How would we continue to operate? But the better question is… how can we prepare our farm, ourselves and our employees? What does farm safety from Covid-19 look like?
I know I am not alone in these worries. And that we are all working to keep our farms safe and clean. So I thought it might be helpful to put together some resources that farmers could use to better prepare their farms to stay safe during Covid 19. I have spoken with veterinarians and health professionals to put together these resources and documents as well as links from the CDC website.
I am happy to e-mail PDFs of these documents to anyone who is interested. Please fill out the form below. The email will include both an English and a Spanish version.
Social Distancing
We are lucky that on farms many of the jobs are fairly well distanced from other people ie sitting on a tractor or loader. But we need to focus our attention and efforts on the areas of highest risk for social interactions.
Our high risks areas include the following:
Milking parlor: The milking parlor is probably the most difficult place to social distance. Spread out routines if possible, and encourage the use of masks if social distancing is not an option.
Picking up paychecks: Set a specific window of time for paychecks to be picked up. Allow for extra time to ensure not everyone comes at once. Pick a location outdoors with room for social distancing. Encourage employees to stay 6 feet apart while they pick up their checks. Offer hand sanitizer and keep your own hands sanitized through the process.
Office: The office should be limited to essential staff only and limited to 3-5 people at any given time. If someone needs something, step outside of the office.
In high traffic areas, if possible, create one entrance in and one entrance out to avoid people crossing too close to each other.
Disinfection
It is important to disinfect the common areas regularly that are at most risk for limited social distancing.
Time clock at check-in and check out
Break rooms
Work trucks
Many of the basic chemicals already on the farm can be used for disinfectants such as chlorine and alcohol products. Check with the chemical company! Ask for their suggestions and recommendations. (**And do not ever inject any chemical inside your body!**)
Fresh Air and Sunlight
Fresh air and sunlight are two of the things we all love about working in ag. And with summer approaching, the sun is coming out. Use this to your advantage to help reduce coronavirus in the workplace. Make sure there is good ventilation in the common working areas. Open doors and windows. Meet with people outside in the sunlight.
Basic Hygiene
Encourage regular and thorough hand washing. Make sure your staff has access to soap and sanitizer. Ensure that they know how to properly wash their hands to reduce the risk of infections. Post signs in English and in Spanish. Encourage everyone to wear face masks when possible and when in close contact with others.
CDC Resources
Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19. English here. Spanish here.
How to Protect Yourself and Others. English here. Spanish here.
Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation. English here. Spanish here.
Request Documents
**I want to add that I am not an expert in any way, shape, or form. And I know not all these ideas and suggestions will work for everyone and every farm. But I hope some of you will be able to take these and make them work for your farm.**
Stay udderly safe,
New Mexico Milkmaid