COVID-19 and Work Health and Safety

Coronavirus in the agricultural workplace 

Employers can find information about coronavirus including; what it is, how it spreads, who is most at risk, and what you can do to help stop it spreading on the following websites: 

Safe Farming Tasmania 

Safe Farming Tasmania​ is continuing to operate as normal and can support you in developing your COVID-19 Safety Plan. Senior WHS Advisors Phillip John and Stuart Beams can also advise you on managing other health and safety issues on your farm.  
 
To book a visit, contact: 
  • Phill: 0407 015 400 or phillip.john@justice.tas.gov.au 
  • Stuart: 0400 140 146 or stuart.beams@justice.tas.gov.au ​

COVID-19 Safe Workplaces​

The Tasmanian Government has launched a COVID-19 Safe Workplaces Framework to support businesses and workplaces to continue to operate, or reopen, while protecting Tasmania's health and safety.  

  
The Framework includes minimum standards developed in consultation with Public Health that will be monitored and enforced through the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.  Business and workplaces are required to be able to demonstrate how they are complying with the minimum standards if asked by an inspector. 
 
The COVID-19 Safe Farming Contractors Guidance Sheet will help you determine if it is safe for a contractor, field officer, agronomist, consultant or authorised visitor to enter your farm, and to manage any visit.

 SafeFaming Covid Controls Checklist (DOC 177Kb)

Guidelines to create a COVID-19 Safety Plan

Covid-19 Safety PlanTemplate 

​​If you have an existing COVID-19 Safety Plan, here is what you need to do to review and update your plan.

Here is how you can conduct your COVID-19 risk assessment. 

Here is information for workplaces to register for essential staff to be exempt from quarantine requirements for close contact if they are identified as a critical worker.

What to do if you have an outbreak on your farm. 

 Case and Outbreak Management Response Checklist (PDF 77Kb)


​Other work health and safety (WHS) resources

​​​​​WorkSafe Tasman​ia's Coronavirus webpage​ including information on employer responsibilities and incident notification obligations, as well as links to resources on COVID-​​​19 workpalce safety in different industries, workers compensation, health and mental wellbeing, and business/employment. Where appropriate, the site links to the Safe Work Australia website or information from other jurisdictions.

​​Safe Work A​ust​​ralia's website ​​​has been ​updated to provide a central information hub for WHS guidance and tools to help manage risks posed by COVID-19.  It includes an agriculture industry page that can be filtered to tailor resources to the needs of employers, small businesses or workers. You can even subscribe to industry-specific updates.

 
Agricultural businesses needing to use personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should consult: 

​The industry​ resources​​​ page also includes links to sector-specific information and resources for managing COVID-19 WHS risks. This includes the National Farmers’ Federation COVID-19 Workplace Guide which includes:
  • practical information for all agricultural businesses on COVID-19
  • good hygiene and social distancing practices
  • access to labour and workforce planning
  • WHS obligations
  • industrial relations
  • useful links
For the current situation on travel and border arrangements, visit the Coming to Tasmania section of the Tasmanian Government Coronavirus website​.

Contac​t:
Safe Farming Tasmania (support for farmers)​
Phone: 0407 015 400 Phill John 
Email: phillip.john@justice.tas.gov.au 
 
Phone 0400 140 146 Stuart Beams 
Email:  Stuart.beams@justice.tas.gov.au 

WorkSafe Tasmani​​​a
Phone:  1300 366 322
Email:  wstinfo@justice.tas.gov.au​