Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Farmers challenged to acquire PPE

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture has found that many of its members are experiencing difficulty acquiring personal protective equipment they need for themselves and their workers.

The OFA surveyed 498 of its members and learned that that the key issues are N95 masks, dust masks and sterile gloves. They are all mandatory for COVID-19 protection employers must supply for their workers.

More than half of the survey participants said they don’t have an extended PPE supply on hand, and only 12 per cent feel they have enough to last six months or more.  

Sixteen per cent said they worry that a lack of PPE will force them to shut down and 21 per cent said they expect shortages within the next three months.