BayG.A.P. SERVICE PROGRAM MODULE 1
MODULE 1.2:
RISK ASSESSMENT AND
MANAGEMENT PLAN
INTRODUCTION TO RISK ASSESSMENT
Risk assessments play a vital role in various numbers of standards and are required in order to manage
and facilitate food safety, workers health and safety, and environmental protection. A risk assessment is
an important step in complying with standard requirements (such as localg.a.p.) and the law, and helps
you to focus on those risks that really have an impact in the workplace – the ones with the potential to
cause serious harm. In many instances, simple, effective and inexpensive measures can easily control
risks (e.g. ensuring that spillages in the field are removed instantly so that soil cannot be contaminated).
The concept of G.A.P. generally does not expect you
to eliminate all risks, but to protect your products and
workers as far as it is ‘reasonably practicable’.
However, we believe the presented risk assessment provides a handy approach for daily farming
producers. You yourself, your family, workers and others involved have a right to be safeguarded from
harm due to failing to take reasonable safety measures. Accidents and exposure to toxic substances
can seriously ruin lives and affect farming business too if produce is lost or, worst case, you have to go
to court. Producers are legally required to assess the risks in the workplace so that a plan to manage
risks can be installed.
The field should be free
of trash, papers, plastics
and empty containers
Do not plant in fields with
chemical contaminants
Check if there is no risk
of water contamination
Check on possible
contamination sources from
neighboring plots
Be acquainted with the type of
pests, diseases and weeds that
exist, mainly in the crop area
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