Notice to Industry 2: Personnel biosecurity requirements – imported horses

This includes:

• non department personnel that are:
  • in the controlled area (animal unloading area or the corral) AND
  • in contact with the horse/s, horse air-stalls or biosecurity risk material (BRM) (for example: grooms, private veterinarians, horse transport vehicle drivers, corral cleaners).
• department personnel that are:
  • in the controlled area (animal unloading area or the corral) AND
  • in contact with the horses, horse air-stalls, BRM (for example: department personnel involved in closing and sealing of horse transport vehicles or applying biosecurity tape to air-stalls).
• all personnel in the aircraft hold that are:
  • in contact with horses AND/OR the inside of horse air stalls (for example: grooms, veterinarians).
• all personnel inside a post-arrival quarantine facility

• bring a clean set of clothing (including underwear and socks), to change into after showering out of the controlled area (corral) or PAQ facility.
• wear dedicated clothing (for example: material or disposable overalls) in the controlled area or PAQ facility.
• before leaving the controlled area or PAQ facility:
  • surrender all clothing (including underwear and socks) for laundering, AND
  • undertake a complete head to toe, minimum 3-minute shower (including washing hair and cleaning under fingernails)*, AND
  • change into clean clothing and footwear.

For personnel at the corral:

• footwear must be checked for BRM and undergo mandatory disinfection under supervision of a biosecurity officer.

For personnel at a PAQ facility:

• footwear must remain inside the PAQ facility until horses are released from biosecurity control

For horse transport vehicle drivers:

• disposable overalls must be worn over department-issued overalls while in the corral or unloading area
• immediately prior to leaving the animal unloading area or corral:
  • remove disposable overalls, AND
  • decontaminate hands with alcohol gel, AND
  • footwear must be checked for BRM and disinfected under supervision of a biosecurity officer.

Notes:

• Grooms who have travelled with imported horses must clearly label all personal luggage. Personal luggage must be presented for inspection (and treatment if necessary) on arrival at:
  • the corral (for horses and grooms going to MQF), OR
  • the PAQ facility (for grooms travelling with horses from the airport to AA sites).
• Grooms travelling to a PAQ facility must travel in the horse transport vehicle in the groom compartment (not the driver’s cabin).

*Category A personnel travelling with the horses to a PAQ facility (including horse transport vehicle drivers) undertake biosecurity decontamination requirements at the PAQ facility.

This includes:

• department personnel that are in the animal unloading area or in the corral BUT NOT in contact with the horses, horse air-stalls, or BRM (for example: for supervisory purposes).
• tug drivers in the animal unloading area or corral who are NOT fully supervised by biosecurity officers.
• personnel in the aircraft hold who may be in contact with BRM BUT NOT in direct contact with horses or the inside of horse air-stalls (for example: cleaners, aircraft hold officer).
• authorised BUT NOT supervised personnel who have access to the aircraft hold or corral OR may have had accidental access to these areas (for example: personnel performing duties in the vicinity of horses and BRM who are not directly supervised by a biosecurity officer).

• wear dedicated clothing (e.g. material or disposable overalls) while working in the controlled area (i.e. animal unloading area, corral, aircraft hold).
• remove and leave dedicated clothing and sanitise hands with alcohol based disinfectant gel/wipes before leaving the controlled area.
• scrub footwear to remove dirt and disinfect the footwear (including the sole and toe) when leaving the controlled area.

Note: Personnel may be directed to decontaminate as per Category A if needed (e.g clothing is contaminated by BRM). Category B decontamination must still be followed before proceeding to the corral.

This includes:

• department staff in the area surrounding the animal unloading area or corral.
• scissor lift operators, ramp drivers, on board cargo handlers who only touch the outside of the horse air-stalls.
• Australian Border Force officers, biosecurity officers granting pratique, flight crew, MDL operator and main panel operators.
• tug drivers in the controlled area but remaining on the tug, supervised by department staff and not contacting any part of the controlled area.
• lower deck loader operators, lower deck drivers and refuelling officers.
• all other personnel with duties outside the vicinity of horses and are not in contact with BRM and are supervised by a biosecurity officer.

• keep away from horses and keep hands outside of the horse air-stalls.
• advise a biosecurity officer if:
  • they have contact with the horses or inside horse air-stalls, OR
  • they contact BRM, OR
  • they expect to have contact with horses within the next 12 hours.

Note: Category C personnel that have been exposed (or are suspected of being exposed) to a horse, the inside of a horse air-stall, or BRM, may be reclassified to Category A or B (as appropriate) and will be required to undergo decontamination as per that category.