Keep yourself and your employees safe around the farm during COVID-19 with the following tips for cleaning surfaces.

We know that COVID-19 can survive on some surfaces for as long as 72 hours. However regular cleaning can greatly reduce this time. Focus especially on areas that are "touched often" such as handles, rails and switches.  

Remember - any cleaning products used in the farm dairy must continue to conform with existing requirements under your dairy company’s Terms and Conditions of supply. 

Remember that the main route of transmission is directly from person to another, via coughing or sneezing. So, the most crucial steps to reduce spread of the coronavirus are: 

• Remain at home if sick, 
• Direct coughs and sneezes away from others, and 
• Wash hands regularly throughout the day. 
• Wear gloves for milking

What can we use to sanitise surfaces in the farm dairy?  

Every farm dairy has a ready supply of detergents and chemicals that can be used to sanitise surfaces against microbes, including bacteria and viruses.

Your normal wash regime will protect your milk contact surfaces.

Note: this is our best interpretation of the information available to date. It may well change over time as more information comes to hand.

The tables below summarise different products that can be used to sanitise different surfaces.  They have been split into surfaces in the FARM DAIRY, and other surfaces AROUND THE FARM.

Note: that all chemicals used in the dairy must be MPI-approved Dairy Maintenance Compounds.

* Note that some household products, and animal housing sanitisers contain compounds such as quaternary alkyl ammonium compounds (QACs) or Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs). These cannot be used on milk contact services, and therefore are not approved for use in the farm dairy.

What are some of the shared touchpoints?

Common shared touch points to consider sanitising include:

• Door handles and light switches
• Vat control pad, connection points, outlet taps, hose taps, agitator switch
• Vacuum pump switch
• Wash system controls
• Filter cage
• Pens and writing surfaces
• Shared milking aprons, sleeves, glove boxes
• Gates, latches and handrails
• Milk tubes, clusters, teat disinfection equipment
• Taps and hoses
• Cupboard and fridge handles
• Vehicle door handles, keys, steering wheels / handlebars

How long does coronavirus survive on different surfaces?

Some surfaces are better than others at harbouring coronaviruses. Unfortunately, it can survive well on the hard and shiny surfaces that are commonly found in the farm dairy.

In summary:

• Cleaning a surface first is an essential part of disinfection, as organic matter (dirt, faeces etc) can inactivate most disinfectants.
• Only use products for Farm Dairy cleaning which are normally used in the Farm Dairy, in accordance with MPI regulatory requirements.
• Where possible wear disposable gloves, or gloves that can be cleaned, when conducting cleaning tasks.
• Soap and water should be used for hand hygiene when hands are visibly soiled. Alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water can be used when hands are visibly clean but have been contaminated from contact with environmental surfaces
• Gloves should be worn when handling and preparing disinfectant solutions.
• Protective eye wear should be worn to protect against splashing.

Most milk processors have requirements that Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs) (e.g. benzalkonium chloride) and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs) cannot be used on milk contact surfaces. These compounds are often found in household “spray and wipes”, surface wipes, household bleach and animal housing disinfectants, which are not approved for use in the farm dairy.

If you are unsure about a particular product, check MPI's dairy maintenance compounds register online or contact your milk processor/factory field representative.