The California Strawberry Commission has been working with field workers through its bilingual outreach and training team to provide training during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The commission is working with growers and health officials, and has adopted standard operating procedures to reflect federal, state and local guidelines. The I Pick Safety, For Me, For All program covers recommendations for safety measure while at work and off the farm, according to a news release from the commission.
On-Farm measures include social distancing, hand washing, sanitation of high-touch areas, altered schedules and work practices, with staggered work crews in fields and distancing during breaks.
“This has been an intensive and extensive outreach effort,” Joy Jacobs, director of grower education for the commission, said in the release. “Our work has necessitated field visits and direct contacts with virtually every commercial strawberry grower in California.”
More hand washing stations, increased sanitation of surfaces and use of cloth face coverings have been added in the fields, and workers who exhibit symptoms are encouraged to self-quarantine.
For more coverage of what steps companies are taking during the pandemic, see The Packer’s COVID-19 webpage.
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