Pollution Risk
Assessment
1. What is its purpose?
The Pollution Risk Assessment involves recognition of all potentially pollutant materials at
each stage of their use, from arrival to disposal. Dependent on the severity of each risk, plans
can be made to ensure the storage, use and disposal of these substances are managed to
minimise potential risks to the environment and human safety.
2. What should be included?
Requirements of the Pollution Risk Assessment:
• Identify pollution risks for water, soil, air (to include GHG emissions), noise, light
diffuse and point source pollution
• Reference to farm maps
• Indicate the corresponding probability and severity of each risk
Risk Level 1-5 (1=low)
• Actions to reduce or avoid the impact of all pollution risks to the environment
Other areas to consider:
• Plant Protection Products (PPPs), fertilisers, livestock dips, organic waste, non-
biodegradable wastes, run-off washings and sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs)
• The person responsible for the actions, along with the date/time
• Cross reference to farm records for pollution related accidents/ emergencies
• The likelihood of potential pollutants occurring
For many farmers, specialist advice is the best way of identifying what waste, by-products
and pollution control issues exist on farm, and appropriate ways in which
these may be addressed and incorporated into farming operations. You are
advised to seek external assistance from a suitably trained and qualified person.
3. Pollution Emergency Procedure
Whilst the Pollution Risk Assessment can help reduce the likelihood of pollution events,
accidents can still happen, and it is important to have a Pollution Emergency Procedure in
place to deal with unexpected events.
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As part of identifying risks in the Pollution Risk Assessment, it may be helpful to also develop
guidelines on how to deal with these risks, especially those that have a high likelihood of
occurring, or significant impact on the environment or human safety.
As an example, see LEAF’s Pollution Emergency Procedure Flowchart which supports decision
making in the event of a serious accident involving chemical exposure / spillage.
4. Communicating the plan
It is important that the Pollution Risk Assessment is communicated to relevant staff and
contractors so that they understand the importance of reducing risk in day-to-day
operations. If appropriate, relevant sections of the Pollution Risk Assessment should be
displayed where staff can see it. It should also be considered in any staff induction training, or
when new equipment or procedures are implemented.
Any Pollution Emergency Procedure(s) should also be communicated to staff. It should be
displayed in a public and obvious location and preferably next to the Emergency Information.
5. Review and update
The Risk Assessment steps, and their impact should be reviewed and updated at least
annually. It may be relevant to update this document more frequently if there are changes to
your operations, or if new rules and regulations are implemented. If there are changes to
your Risk Assessment, it may also be relevant to update your Pollution Emergency
Procedure(s).
LEAF’s Management Plans and Policies are designed to help you implement Integrated Farm Management. Producing them enables you to
reflect on your management practices and consider efficiencies and improvements, as well as focus on certain priority areas in more detail
and consider how to use them effectively for internal communication and in some case, externally. They also ensure your plans are integrated
across the whole farm business.
These Management Plans and Policies reflect the best available information on the topic as of the publication date. While all reasonable
endeavours have been made to ensure the accuracy of the investigations and the information contained in this report, LEAF does not take any
responsibility for any and all liabilities contingent or otherwise that may arise from the use of the information.
Following these guidelines does not automatically assume that you are compliant to the LEAF Marque Standard, you must always refer to the
current LEAF Marque Standard and the requirements held within that.
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