United Fresh Produce Association has created a Resource Page for the industry to address frequently asked questions and provide important resources:
The CDC offers guidance for Agricultural Workers and Employers as well as numerous resources and is continually updating its webpage with the latest information on prevention and protocols when people become sick. It also offers printable education materials in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole and many other languages.
Cloth Face Coverings
Because people who don’t show symptoms can transmit COVID-19, the CDC recommends that even healthy people make and wear their own cloth face covering, especially when social distancing is a challenge. The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators, which must be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders. CDC instructions for making cloth face covers. CDC video for making cloth face covers (English)
Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offers a Food Facility COVID-19 Strategy Checklist on risk management strategy implementation. It includes Technical, Organizational and Personnel measures. This is a guide and companies are strongly encouraged to modify it to fit their situation and circumstances.
CalOSHA has released a Safety and Health Guidance for COVID-19 prevention for agricultural employers and employees. The guidance includes:
- Recommendations for agricultural employers to update their Injury and Illness Prevention Program to include preventing the spread of COVID -19 in the workplace.
- Employee training: Agricultural employers must provide training in a way that is understandable and accessible to employees.
- Health and safety practices and procedures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the worksite.
- Procedures to increase physical distancing.
- Good sanitation practices.
