10 minute read
COVID-19: MANAGING WORKERS
MANAGING TEMPORARY WORKERS ACROSS THE WINTER WITH COVID- 19
The situation with COVID-19 in Australia is highly fluid, with many of the quickly-imposed restrictions on travel and activities now being relaxed, but at different rates in different states.
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The virus will continue to be amongst us for the foreseeable future and as production ramps up for the winter flush. The following information was correct at the time of going to print, however you are strongly encouraged to access the latest
It is highly recommended that you
download the COVIDSAFE App and
encourage all of your employees to do so too.
USEFUL LINKS
Safe Work Australia www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/covid-19- information online.
information-workplaces
National Farmers Federation www.farmhub.org.au/covid-19
Passionfruit Australia passionfruitaustralia.org.au/covid-19
QUEENSLAND to move and stay in temporary accommodation. Seasonal workers temporarily in Australia, or an interstate resident seeking work in
For all growers in Queensland, COVID-19 related advice and assistance focusing on agriculture and commercial fisheries can be found at: www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishingforestry/agriculture/coronavirus-support
This website is regularly updated and information topics include:
— Queensland border restrictions and entry passes for agriculture — Entering restricted remote communities for agricultural purposes during COVID-19 — Employing seasonal & local workers in agribusiness – COVID-19 — Impact on Queensland's agricultural workforce — Workplace health and safety concerns — Agriculture coordination officers — Coronavirus (COVID-19) agriculture coordination group
The Queensland government have produced a comprehensive series of tools, charts and fact sheets to assist you. Please access these resources online at www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/
As we go to print, the border into Queensland is still closed for general traffic entering the state.
Agriculture workers – deemed essential workers - with a confirmed employment offer letter are able to travel into Queensland from southern states providing all the necessary border crossing paperwork is presented at the border crossing.
See covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/border-closing for the latest information. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYING ‘SEASONAL WORKERS’ IN QLD AGRICULTURE
Workplace health management plans are required for all agribusinesses and labour hire providers who have seasonal workers. A seasonal worker is a person who travels to or within Queensland for work as it becomes available, often requiring them can be a person who has come from overseas to travel and work seasonal-work-covid19
Queensland, or a QLD resident working away from home.
WHAT IS A WORKPLACE HEALTH MANAGEMENT PLAN?
Every agribusiness has a responsibility to manage the health risks of COVID-19, both for their communities and for their employees while at work. Workplace health management plans are a risk-based way for agribusinesses to identify their health and safety obligations in relation to COVID-19 risks and plan for how these risks will be mitigated.
There is a template that you must complete and email to:
covid.plans@health.qld.gov.au
Download the template from bit.ly/Qld-HMP
WHERE ELSE CAN I GET HELP IN QUEENSLAND? Queensland agriculture coordination officers support producers, the agriculture industry and local governments to manage coronavirus (COVID-19). There are approximately 100 agriculture coordination officers across the state. They can give producers and industry fast access to relevant information, removing the need to navigate many different websites, sometimes with limited or no connectivity. To contact an agriculture coordination officer,
email info@daf.qld.gov.au or phone the customer service centre on 13 25 23.
NEW SOUTH WALES
To keep workers, visitors and customers safe, and to give them the confidence to keep coming back, businesses and organisations will need to follow health and hygiene requirements designed to keep COVID-19 out of workplaces. The NSW government have also produced a set of tools and fact sheets to assist you. Please access these resources online at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/home/ covid-19/managing-primary-production-workforce
The NSW Government has announced special measures to ensure horticultural businesses can continue to safely operate and to protect workers from COVID-19. WESTERN AUSTRALIA The key agriculture website hub in WA can be found at: www.dpird.wa.gov.au/covid19-response IN SUMMARY: agricultural workers with proof of employment. — Additional safeguards in place to manage risk and maintain health and safety and support business continuity. — A declaration confirming that appropriate accommodation arrangements are in place is required for agricultural employers utilising Working Holiday Makers (WHM). — Agricultural businesses employing WHM must prepare a
COVID-19 Health Management Plan as part of their occupational health and safety management responsibility. — Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to work with industry in coming weeks to determine finer details. Existing Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws require employers to look after the health and safety of their workers and others at the workplace. Employers must identify risks at the workplace and, where possible, eliminate or minimise those risks for general WHS compliance. — Visa holders travelling from a metropolitan area in any state to regional nsw must undertake 14 days of self-isolation at point of origin or must have been tested for covid-19 and returned a negative result prior to travel.
— Seasonal workers who are visa holders are encouraged to complete a visa holder declaration form (available online) and carry it with them at all times. Employers are encouraged to ask for and record viewing the declaration form, taking specific note of the visa number.
— Employers should conduct regular temperature testing to ensure employees are fit for work and have a procedure in place in the event of a covid-19 infection in the workplace
— Businesses are recommended to assess their risk mitigations using the health management plan checklist and make necessary changes to practices as required.
— Western Australian travel restrictions enable movement of
— Access the checklist at bit.ly/NSW-HMP It is in the direct interest of all agricultural businesses to have documented processes for managing COVID-19 risks. Good risk minimisation measures and practices will allow businesses to remain open in the event a worker falls ill with COVID-19. If plans are not in place this may not be the case.
To assist in the transparency of workplace safety measures, the WA Government expects agricultural businesses to implement COVID-19 health management plans as part of their Occupational Health and Safety responsibility.
These plans should clarify the obligations of both employer and employee in mitigating risk and outline what to do should a COVID-19 outbreak occur.
In developing a plan, consideration might be given to the following: — Physical distancing — Health checks and quarantine — Premise cleaning — Personal hygiene — Use of personal protective equipment — Interactions with the public — Consultation and communication with workers
Although there is not a rigid template to be followed, it is advised that you access the guides available on the WA website at www.dpird.wa.gov.au/securing-labour-supply
GROWER PROFILE: MEET THE CAMPBELLS
BY AMANDA ROY
Ian and Joanne Campbell have been living in Murwillumbah, NSW for 18 years. Trading as ‘I & J Campbell Passionfruit’, they grow mostly the Sweetheart variety with a few A3’s in the mix. They grow 3,000 vines and farm as a husband and wife team most of the time.
When passionfruit growing isn’t keeping them busy, their 30+ cattle also give them something to do. We all know how much cows LOVE fresh passionfruit, so they have had to invest both considerable time and money into protecting the vines from the cows, with one rogue cow in particular that has been very determined!
Ian and Joanne have two grown-up daughters and neither have followed the farm lifestyle. For Joanne, the picking is relaxing. In fact, the best part of having the farm is actually living on it; the blend of being at home and working the property is the perfect balance for their family. Ian certainly appreciates not having to sit in traffic on the way to work every day like so many city folk do.
Of course, there is always a downside to farming and for the Campbell’s it would be that they feel they can’t go on long holidays. To leave the farm alone or in the care of someone else is a worry they would just rather avoid. So, for them, mini breaks and the odd weekend getaways are the way to go.
Both Ian and Joanne originally came from the police force. They policed the streets of Sydney for 20 years before moving to the Gold Coast for a further three years. After working on the Coast, they decided that Murwillumbah looked like a great place to continue raising their girls. They bought 100 acres and haven’t looked back. In fact, they almost wish they had started their farming journey a whole lot sooner.
Ian likes to think outside the box and one great example of this is how he uses his drone to move the rosellas on when they get into the orchard. The birds have been very destructive in the past both with the flowers and early fruit. Flying the drone moves them on and keeps them at bay for a while. It doubles up as a little bit of fun while saving the crop!
Everyone has a travel destination that they would like to visit, and Fiji is not only the Campbell’s dream spot, but somewhere they have already been four times. It’s such a friendly and relaxing place that draws them back time and again.
While they wait for their next trip to Fiji, they both enjoy a game of golf. Joanne has been playing for ten years now and Ian an awful lot longer than that. He loves his golf so much that he even gives up some of his valuable spare time to serve on the board of Murwillumbah Golf Club – the venue for our AGM in October this year.
Thank you, Ian and Joanne, for sharing your life with us.
EVENT NEWS FIELD DAY, AGM & INDUSTRY DINNER
REGIONAL FIELD DAY
SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER
Everyone is welcome to register & attend this day as this event is open to all growers and industry supporters across Australia. — Registration opens at 8:30am for 8:45am start — Morning tea and lunch are provided — Includes practical demonstrations at local farms
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr Jenny Ekman, Applied Horticultural Research, author of ‘Australian Passionfruit, Postharvest Best Practice Guide (funded by our levy): Review of the Guide followed by Q&A session “Maintaining passionfruit quality through the supply chain starts with growing a good quality product in the orchard.” She will help you “understand what is happening within the fruit once it is detached from its source of water and nutrients and starts its journey to market.” We are very grateful to Jenny for taking the time to travel from Sydney for our event and we strongly encourage as many growers as possible to join us and hear her talk – you will not be disappointed!
PLUS UPDATES FROM:
DENNIS CHANT, PRESIDENT: 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW
Dennis was elected the new Passionfruit Australia Inc President at the AGM in 2019, taking over from Tina McPherson. 2020 has proven to be surprising for the horticulture industry and beyond. PAI has been peddling along behind the scenes during these COVID-19 restrictions and having to adjust the event schedule as needed. Dennis will give some insight into how this has unfolded throughout the year. JANE RICHTER, VICE-PRESIDENT: NEW GRADING GUIDES & TOOLS
Jane has been working with growers across regions to develop some new grading tools & guides for our farms. The previous grading poster could not be replaced or reprinted so PAI has developed some new ideas, with consultation from both new and experienced growers and industry associates, across the regions. Jane will be presenting the new updated guides & tools.
AGM (Passionfruit Aus Inc.)
REGISTER AT 3:30PM
The President will open the meeting with a 2020 report, followed by reports from our Secretary on member numbers and Treasurer on our Association Finances. We will then have nominations and elections for our Management Committee positions with an open request for more members to join our consultation committees.
INDUSTRY DINNER
BOOK ONLINE
All welcome – please book online to attend so we can confirm numbers with the venue
At 5pm we will retreat to the deck for drinks and platters, a chance to catch up at the end of a long day before dinner at 6.30pm. We look forward to a great day of valuable industry networking, reconnecting with old friends and making some new ones. A Shuttle Bus is available for local drop offs at the end of the evening.
LOCAL ACCOMMODATION RECOMMENDATIONS:
Murwillumbah Motor Inn, 17 Byangum Road, Murwillumbah, NSW, 2484 | 02 6672 2022 | www.mminn.com.au Gallery Motel, 453 Tweed Valley Way, South Murwillumbah, NSW, 2484 | 02 6672 3666 |
