Department of Agriculture updates farm labor requirements
Posted
Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture provided farmers who
provide housing to their workforce – be it domestic, migrant, or guest
H-2A workers – with enhanced requirements for seasonal farm labor to
maintain a healthy agriculture workforce to ensure necessary farm labor
can continue during COVID-19 mitigation in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania is home to more than 360 permitted Seasonal Farm Labor
Camps with nearly 4,300 workers. The workers in these camps are
primarily migrant workers – sourced by their company – or H-2A workers –
sourced federally. Even before COVID-19 hit Pennsylvania, the
Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Food safety oversaw the Seasonal
Farm Labor Camps where these guest workers reside. The Seasonal Farm
Labor Act and regulation sets standards for conditions of work, living
quarters, occupancy, camp sanitation, food facilities, fire protection,
and safety of farm workers. In addition to these required standards, the
department has issued additional requirements for employers to follow
to mitigate against COVID-19 for their workforce.
In addition to additional requirements to keep workers from getting sick
with COVID-19, the Modified Seasonal Farm Labor Camp Requirements
include steps to take if an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19. For a
complete list of guidance documents and information as it relates to
agriculture during COVID-19 mitigation in Pennsylvania, visit
agriculture.pa.gov/COVID.
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