PHOTO: AVIAGEN
PHOTO: MICHEL VELDERMAN
HATCHERY ▶▶▶
Employees should be pro- vided with new face masks at the beginning of each shift (and whenever re- quired), and wear them at all times.
• It is good practice to alternate break times to prevent the break room from becoming overcrowded.
• If chairs are fixed to the ground, signs should indicate that chairs too close to each other cannot be used.
• Sexers should keep their distance from each other at all times. This can be achieved by moving the sexer stations further away from each other, or by installing barriers be- tween the stations.
• Because hatchery delivery drivers are more often exposed to unknown external sources, it is essential they adhere to the social distancing policy and do not enter the hatchery. They should wear masks, gloves and disposable coveralls.
Securing continuity of operation To ensure smooth continuous business operations, hatchery management should consider the following: • It is important to have contingency measures in place for staff absences. This can be done by training several people
or by implementing ‘cross training’ for every task per- formed in the hatchery. It may be useful to hire additional temporary workers and train them to complete certain cru- cial tasks.
• Because getting spare parts for incubators and other hatchery machinery is becoming more difficult, it is useful to prepare an inventory of all spare parts in stock and order the most commonly needed parts as soon as possible.
• To ensure continuity of management, key managers should be rotated on a two-week on site and two-week work-from-home/standby basis where possible.
Communication is key It is now more important than ever for hatchery management to maintain close communication with employees, to reas- sure them that all possible steps are being taken for their safety and that their jobs are essential in feeding the world. Employees should be made aware that extra precautions are necessary to keep them safe from COVID-19 and they should be updated regularly on what these precautions are. Planning and orders should be reviewed at daily meetings as they may change due to logistical issues. Team effort is paramount and lines of communication should be kept open at all times.
Sitting too close together in the break room is a risk. Chairs that are close to each other should be made physically inaccessable.
22 ▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 5, 2020
Protecting people and the supply chain It is important to know that chickens cannot be infected with COVID-19 nor can they transmit it to humans. This fact needs to be communicated to hatchery staff to avoid misinforma- tion and potential panic. Having additional, well-communi- cated precautions in place is necessary not only for health and security reasons, but also to reassure employees that they are important and that every step possible is being tak- en to keep them and their families safe. These additional measures protect people – our most valuable resource. While they also help maintain the continuity of chick supply to poultry producers.
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