To: Local Farmers & Farm Operators: Health & Safety Webinar Invitation
One of the Ontario government’s top priorities is to guard against the spread of COVID-19 in agri-food workplaces so that worker health and safety is protected, and Ontario’s food supply chain remains strong.
With the 2021 growing season already underway in some parts of the agri-food industry, Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is inviting all farmers and farm operators to participate in an upcoming virtual health and safety information session. These sessions are designed to provide practical assistance and information to help farmers and agri-food businesses build on the steps they have already been taking to enhance workplace safety and provide additional resources to keep themselves and others safe.
Experts from Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) will provide guidance as well as health and safety best practices for managing the risk of COVID-19 in agricultural workplaces, especially those with employees and temporary foreign agricultural workers. Each participant will have access to a suite of resources and tools to help them assess and implement effective practices in their workplace.
To register for one of our regional sessions, please visit:
Click here to register for any of the following sessions:
- Province-wide, April 22, 2021 (Registration open)
- Province-wide, April 26, 2021 (Registration open)
- Province-wide, April 29, 2021 (Registration open)
- Province-wide, April 29, 2021 (Registration open)
If you have any questions, or experience any issues with registering, please contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
Control the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace by incorporating public health advice and include measures to:
- Consider having a screener at the farm to conduct active screening of workers and visitors to the farm
- Limit the potential spread of an outbreak through cohorting, establishing work teams or crews of people that work together.
- Ensure physical distancing and separation of at least 2 metres, Personal Protective Equipment must be work when workers are unable to maintain at least 2 metres distance from another person
- Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment including surgical/procedure mask, gown, gloves and/or eye protection (goggles or face shield).
- Reduce transmission from surfaces and objects by sanitizing commonly touched surfaces or areas such as entrances, counters, washrooms and kitchens.
- Support good hand and respiratory hygiene, enable workers and visitors to properly clean their hands, by providing access to soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, warn individuals to not work if experiencing respiratory symptoms.