Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

7th August, 2020 – Racing Victoria Covid-19 Stage 3 & 4 restrictions update.

  • Under the Stage 4 workplace restrictions, “any services connected with animal health, husbandry or welfare…” are permitted to continue operation subject to having a CovidSafe Plan in place
  • In addition to this, racing remains a permitted industry with restricted operations and industry specific obligations
To that end, farriers are considered to be permitted workers. Where a farrier operates within their own company structure or is a sole trader, they are permitted to issue themselves with a permitted worker permit, signing the document as both Employer and Employee. I have attached the Permitted Worker Form here.
In terms of PPE requirements, I recommend you review the Government Direction on Workplaces which sets these requirements out in some detail.
Where a farrier operates from their own workplace or premises, they will also be required to have a CovidSafe Plan in place. I note for farriers who visit the premises of others will not need to have such a plan in place.

 

20th July, 2020 – Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions.

COVID-19 Restrictions Update

Guidance on the current directions of the Chief Health Officer in regard to leaving home for work, and travelling between metropolitan Melbourne (and Mitchell Shire) and regional Victoria for work.

Under the current directions your members are able to leave home and travel between metropolitan Melbourne (and Mitchell Shire) and regional Victoria in order to perform their work. Please find below a link to the guidance provided by the Department of Health and Human Services in relation to the current restrictions, and the specific FAQs in relation to leaving home for work.

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/work-and-study-metropolitan-melbourne-and-mitchell-shire-covid-19#can-i-leave-my-house-to-go-to-work

Can I leave my house to go to work?

If you can work from home, you must do so. This is important in helping to limit the number of people moving around – and limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

However, if you cannot do your work from home, you can go to work. When at work, you should maintain physical distancing by keeping at least 1.5 metres between you and others and practise good hygiene – wash your hands and cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.

If you are sick, you must stay home and get tested for coronavirus (COVID-19).

I work outside metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire – am I able to leave to go to work?

Yes. If you cannot do your work from home, you can still go to work. When at work, you should maintain physical distancing by keeping at least 1.5 metres between you and others and practise good hygiene.

If you are sick, stay home and get tested for coronavirus (COVID-19).

To get to work, I need to travel through metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire – am I able to travel through one of these areas?

Yes. Travelling through metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire is allowed. If you stop, it must be for one of the three reasons:

  • to shop for food and essential goods or services
  • to provide care, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment
  • for work or study, if you can’t do it from home.

I hope that this information is of assistance to you and your members.

Matthew Hall
Acting Manager | Office of Racing
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions
Level 5, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, Victoria Australia 3000
T: +61 408 963 262
matthew.hall@ecodev.vic.gov.au

djpr.vic.gov.au

 

 

25/3/20 Please refer to the following websites for up to date guidelines and information regarding the coronavirus:

Racing Victoria: https://www.racingvictoria.com.au/the-sport/racing/covid19

Australian Farriers & Blacksmiths Association: https://www.facebook.com/farrier66/

Victorian State Government (Health & Human Services): https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

Fairwork Australia: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media-releases/website-news/coronavirus-and-australian-workplace-laws

Australian Government (Services Australia-Job Seeker Payments) https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/affected-coronavirus-covid-19

World Health Organisation: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Guidelines taken from the British Farriers & Blacksmiths Association in regards to considerations when attending appointments: https://www.forgeandfarrier.co.uk/bfba/index.htm

  • Crucial hoofcare – farrier should definitely consider attending if to not attend would have serious detrimental effects, promote discomfort  and cause pain.  This includes care of foals.
  • Delay hoofcare – farrier should consider delaying appointments where possible if this does not move the situation into a ‘crucial’ situation as above.
  • Non attendance hoofcare – farrier should consider not attending appointments for those equines whose hoofcare cycles can be easily extended without any long-term detrimental affects.

Further considerations:

  • Disinfect tools, clothing, aprons
  • Restrict movement from job to job
  • Regularly wash hands and/or use hand sanitiser
  • Keep 1.5 metres distance between yourself and other people

 

info@vmfa.com.au

 

 

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