NGFA Offers Workplace Resources When a Worker Tests Positive for COVID-19

As the number of people worldwide who have contracted novel coronavirus COVID-19 continues to grow, so have concerns about what actions to take should a worker be diagnosed with the virus.

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) addressed these concerns for the food industry during a webinar April 2 sponsored by the association and Grain Journal magazine.

David Fairfield, senior vice president-feed at NGFA, and Randy Gordon, NGFA president and chief executive officer, each offered resources during the presentation.

The novel coronavirus COVID-19, like most respiratory viruses, is spread by droplets from someone’s cough or sneeze. The vast majority of patients recover, most after experiencing mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough.

But sometimes the virus makes its way deep into the lungs to cause pneumonia, which can complicate recovery for those with underlying health conditions.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe ailments may take three to six weeks to rebound. Some may not display symptoms at all.

Gordon said a COVID-19 guidance document was developed by a consortium of food industry associations and reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The document, which is available at the ngfa.org COVID-19 resources page, covers:

• Steps to consider if an employee tests positive for COVID-19 or exhibits symptoms.

• Steps to be taken when an employee/facility visitor is exposed to COVID-19.

• Cleaning and disinfection guidelines.

• Disposition of food.

Fairfield said that for now, there is no evidence that COVID-19 is spread by human food or animal feed or their packaging.

The food industry guidance does recommend, if practical, wiping down with sanitizer any packaging with which a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 positive person has been in close contact.

Fairfield also provided these suggestions from FDA, if an employee shows symptoms or tests positive for the virus:

• Continue to operate as a business.

• Inform employees of their possible exposure.

• Contact local public health authorities and follow their protocols.

• Sick employees should follow CDC recommendations including self-quarantine.

• Thoroughly clean and sanitize facilities to protect other workers.

• Currently, no recalls or withdrawals of product from the marketplace are required.

“When food facilities do need to clean and sanitize, EPA maintains a listing of registered disinfected products for COVID-19 on its website,” Fairfield said.

Webinar Presentation Slides

• Randy Gordon - Designation of Food and Agriculture as Critical Infrastructure and What That Means
• David Fairfield - FDA Inspection Flexibility During COVID-19 Pandemic
• Bobby Frederick - Current and Future Financial Relief Enacted or Planned by Congress
• Mary Hitchcock / Charlie Delacruz - Continued Functioning of NGFA Arbitration System
• Jess McCluer - Federal Grain Inspection Service Continuity of Operations Plan
• Max Fisher - Waivers From Truck Driving Hours of Service Regulations and Harmonizing State Weight Limit

Transcripts

NGFA COVID-19 Webinar Presentations

NGFA COVID-19 Webinar Q&A

Webinar

NGFA Webinar Recording: Grain, Feed, Processing, and Export Industry Update on COVID-19 (April 2 - 101 min.)