BPEX MODEL TEMPLATE B3.5 6A Environmental Risk Assessment A completed example document for Illustrative Farm Farm name: Illustrative Farm Operator: Mr P Ffffff Permit number: 1234 Table 1 Assessment of Odour Risk What do you do that can harm and what could be harmed? Managing the risk Assessing the risk Hazard Receptor Pathway Risk management Probability of exposure Consequence What is the overall risk? What has the potential to cause harm? What is at risk? What do I wish to protect? How can the hazard get to the receptor? What measures will you take to reduce the risk? If it occurs, who is responsible for what? How likely is this contact? What is the harm that can be caused? What is the risk that still remains? The balance of probability and consequence Odour from feed mixing, delivery and storage Neighbouring dwelling houses within 400m of the installation Air Measures as described in ‘How to comply with your environmental permit for intensive farming V2 Jan 2010’ (EPR 6.09 Sector Guidance Note) Odour Management Plan in place Feed delivery will be sealed to minimise atmospheric dust. Any spillage of feed around the bin is immediately cleaned up. The condition of feed bins is checked frequently so that any damage or leaks can be identified Unlikely annoyance Not significant
Manure and slurry management: Odours arising from poorly managed muck and slurry collection, removal and distribution The use of insufficient or poor quality Spillage of water from drinking systems Disease and vice outbreaks Neighbouring dwelling houses within 400m of the installation Air Measures as described in ‘How to comply-Intensive Farming’ Controls on feed and ventilation (see above) help to maintain air quality Additional controls include: Insulated walls and ceilings to prevent condensation Regular maintenance and correct positioning to avoid overflow from feed and drinking systems Concrete floors to prevent water ingress and surfaces arranged to avoid build-up of stagnant water Stocking density at optimal levels to prevent overcrowding Pens and yards kept clean Manure loaded directly to trailers for transport to muck stores rather than being moved by scrapers across the yard water collection systems enclosed and regularly emptied to avoid anaerobic conditions Unlikely Odour annoyance Not significant
Frequent removal of manure and slurry; wind direction observed Slurry not agitated on removal and potentially odorous spillages cleaned up promptly Carcase disposal: Inadequate storage of carcases on site On-site disposal of carcases by incineration. Neighbouring dwelling houses within 400m of the installation Air Measures as described in ‘How to comply-Intensive Farming’ Carcases are placed in sealed containers immediately after they are removed and are promptly disposed of by on-site incinerator Approved incinerator used; intermittent activity Odours controlled by after burner All odour complaints are logged and investigated Unlikely Odour annoyance Not significant Buildings: Cleaning and disinfection Emptying slurry pits Removal of manure Neighbouring dwelling houses within 400m of the installation Air Pens and yards kept clean Manure loaded directly to trailers for transport to manure stores rather than being moved by scrapers across the yard Dirty water collection systems enclosed and regularly emptied to avoid anaerobic conditions Likely Odour annoyance Not significant if carefully managed
Slurry store location not in direct line of sight with residential housing Machinery and equipment sited as far as possible from neighbours Electric submersed pump, intermittent operation, regular servicing Small vehicles travelling to and from the farm eg staff and visitors’ cars, courier van deliveries, etc Mobile source Neighbouring dwelling houses within 400m of the installation Air Measures as described in ‘How to comply-Intensive Farming’ Small vehicles arrive during the normal working day and therefore are seen as low risk Unlikely Noise annoyance Not significant Feed transfer from lorry to bins and tanks Fixed source Neighbouring dwelling houses within 400m of the installation Air Feed building acts as a screen between delivery vehicle discharge point and nearest housing Vehicles are well maintained and designed so that noise during feed transfer is minimised Conveyors and augers not operated when empty Tipping type delivery vehicles and augers used whenever possible for bulk dry ingredient delivery Unlikely Noise annoyance Not significant
Blower and vacuum type delivery vehicles fitted with low noise units Operation of fans Fixed source Neighbouring dwelling houses within 400m of the installation Air Some buildings naturally ventilated Efficient extractor fans used and maintained in good condition to avoid excessive noise Fans away from neighbours and cowls used to muffle noise, as appropriate Forced ventilation systems with automated controls to minimise run time and fan speed Unlikely Noise annoyance Not significant Alarm system and standby generator Fixed source Neighbouring dwelling houses within 400m of the installation, staff and pigs Air Weekly system test (required by law) is carried out each Friday morning, timed in order to minimise nuisance to neighbours All electrics and equipment are routinely maintained so that the back-up systems rarely need to be used in practice Unlikely Noise annoyance Not significant Pigs Mobile source Neighbouring dwelling houses within 400m of the installation Air Noise from pigs may be considered to be a likely cause for complaint during the growing period During loading, noise from animals is minimised by careful handling Unlikely Noise annoyance Not significant
and by prompt removal of the lorry from the site when full Personnel Mobile source Neighbouring dwelling houses within 400m of the installation Air Staff and other contractors are required to carry out their work without creating excessive noise from shouting and use of radios, etc Unlikely Noise annoyance Not significant Repairs Neighbouring dwelling houses within 400m of the installation Air Noise Management Plan in place If repairs to the site are required, the work is undertaken with due regard for possible noise nuisance and during the normal working day In the event of major repair work being undertaken which is likely to cause significant noise and disruption, neighbouring residents will be notified in advance Unlikely Noise annoyance Not significant Manure/slurry spreading Neighbouring dwelling houses within 400m of the installation, wildlife Air Machinery operated at reasonable times where possible and idling avoided Equipment maintained to optimum standards Likely Noise annoyance Not significant if managed carefully
Table 3 Assessment of Fugitive Emissions Risk What do you do that can harm and what could be harmed Managing the risk Assessing the risk Hazard Receptor Pathway Risk management Probability of exposure Consequence What is the overall risk? What has the potential to cause harm? What is at risk? What do I wish to protect? How can the hazard get to the receptor? What measures will you take to reduce the risk? If it occurs – who is responsible for what? How likely is this contact? What is the harm that can be caused? What is the risk that remains? The balance of probability and consequence. To air Dust (including bio aerosols) Sources: Straw Feed Incinerator ash Neighbouring dwelling houses within 400m of the installation: Nuisance Contributes to odours Human health (inhalation) Surrounding vegetation: Covers leaves and inhibits photosynthesis Surrounding land: Nutrient enrichment of soils Contributes to respiratory problems for pigs and staff Air Use of suitable bedding materials and good storage of such materials Use of liquid and pelleted feed delivered in sealed systems and stored in covered containers Incinerator ash is transferred to covered container prior to removal from the site Regular clearing of dust to prevent build up within buildings, on roofs and around vents, as part of the disease control strategy Treatment of lightly contaminated surface water by swale/soak-away Dust could potentially reach the road and neighbouring houses and surrounding land when a strong wind blows in that direction, which it does around 50 days per year Management actions should prevent this happening Nuisance: dust on surrounding vegetation, cars, clothing Smothering and direct damage to nearby vegetation Pigs/staff may get stressed and become unwell Not significant if managed carefully
Ammonia Source: Pig housing and manure/slurry/dirty water storage, removal and spreading Neighbouring dwelling houses within 400m of the installation Pigs and staff: high levels can cause respiratory problems Also perceived as a nuisance as it contributes to odours Surrounding vegetation: direct toxic effect and changes to sensitive ecosystems Surrounding land: Nutrient enrichment and acidification of soils Air Measures as described in ‘How to Comply – Intensive Farming’ Mitigation measures as for odour Feed formulated to pig requirements and to minimise amount of ammonia produced Rations under periodic review Reduced slatted area in housing Provision of sufficient straw in bedding to bind nitrogen, where appropriate Ventilation and heating control systems designed to provide optimal environment and regularly monitored and maintained Covered slurry store fitted with double gate valves Regular monitoring of tank and contents and maintenance of facilities and equipment Frequency of slurry/manure removal to optimise pen cleanliness The impact of ammonia on air emissions from the installation has been assessed using the H1 methodology and detailed air dispersion modelling The results demonstrate that there will be little likelihood of impact to nearby wildlife sites Aerial deposition and direct toxic effect on trees Nutrient enrichment of soils and changes to sensitive ecosystems Respiratory problems in humans and mammals Not significant
Nutrients such as N and P plus organic matter Source: Wash water run off to nearby water course, muck and slurry spreading Adjacent Water Course: Mill Stream Nutrient leaching from soil to surface waters and groundwater, causing eutrophication and increased biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of watercourses Land Wash water runoff is diverted to underground storage tanks Curbing prevents wash water entering the nearby water course Used bedding/feed spilt on yard/roadways during clean out is cleaned up Field manure heaps sited away from watercourses and boreholes Manure management plan followed including NVZ rules for spreading manure and slurry Unlikely Pollution of water course leading to eutrophication and poisoning of flora and fauna Not significant if managed carefully Spillages from storage and use of pesticides and fuel/chemicals Vulnerable groundwater beneath site Land Management techniques employed aimed at avoiding or minimising use where possible Use of approved chemicals only Operators fully trained and all equipment regularly maintained to avoid any in-field spillage or discharge All tanks bunded and compliant with legislation Unlikely Contamination of surface and groundwaters Killing of flora and fauna Not significant To land
Ammonia from storage of dirty water, slurry, manure and housing Sensitive nature and conservation sites identified in screening Is there a SSSI within 500m? Air As for odour and ‘To water’ above Feed selected to minimise excretion of nutrients Storage sites sited away from sensitive receptors Dirty water tank covered Proposals to cover slurry store in improvement plan Likely Direct toxic effect on trees, nutrient enrichment and acidification of soils Changes to sensitive ecosystems . Not significant if managed carefully Waste materials, packaging, etc. Source: Non-organic waste storage and disposal Neighbouring dwellings and surrounding habitats and countryside Air Policy to avoid production where possible Dedicated storage areas and facilities Collected by licensed contractors for re-cycling or disposal Regular checks made for rubbish dumped by third parties Unlikely Amenity of countryside spoilt by rubbish Possibility of causing harm to wildlife Not significant Pests
Flies on manure heap could move off-site and affect nearby residents Also, birds, rats, etc. Neighbouring dwelling houses Air Pest management programme in place Manure heap is regularly inspected to check for maggots and flies Heap will be treated with pesticide and covered with sheeting if flies become an issue Food sources covered and secure from pests Pest control programme in operation Unlikely Flies and rats are a vector of pollution that can harm human health Concerns about this pollution can cause offence and affect amenity Not significant if managed carefully
Table 4 Assessment of Accident Risk What do you do that can harm and what could be harmed Managing the risk Assessing the risk Hazard Receptor Pathway Risk management Probability of exposure Consequence What is the overall risk? What has the potential to cause harm? What is at risk? What do I wish to protect? How can the hazard get to the receptor? What measures will you take to reduce the risk? If it occurs – who is responsible for what? How likely is this contact? What is the harm that can be caused? What is the risk that still remains? The balance of probability and consequence. Spillages from pesticide and biocide handling and storage areas escaping Potentially polluting liquids flow over yard to clean drain inlet, ditch/stream/ pond/swale and surrounding land Also vulnerable groundwater beneath site Flowing over yard or through cracks in poor impermeable surface and through the ground Accident Management Plan in Repair any infrastructure and design appropriate containment measures Maintenance and regular inspection procedure designed and implemented Foot dips on good concrete with drains to slurry store or dirty water system and located where overflowing gutters will not dilute Wheelwash constructed from reinforced concrete with sealed joints Regular inspection of facilities and records kept Dedicated container for storage with impermeable hard standing within bund Removed from site by licensed contractor Very unlikely Contamination of local groundwater and potential nearby abstractions Not significant with measures indicated
Feed mixing area drains directly to slurry pit Fully trained operators Failure to contain firewater or off-site pollutants Ditches, local water course Accident Management Plan in place Emergency barrier boards to be inserted in ditch culvert north of mill/mix shed Sandbags kept by diesel tank inlets to be covered by sandbags, drain bung inserted, diverter valve closed Stem flow of runoff from edge of yard using sandbags, use loader to push soil into a dam and excavate a sump Unlikely Contamination of local watercourse and surrounding land Not significant Incorrect disposal of wash water Clean drain, ditches, local water course and soakaways Drains, ditches, land Staff trained in correct operation procedures All drains marked All drains shown on drainage plan Unlikely Contamination of ground and surface waters Not significant
Fire Livestock, staff, buildings, fuel and oils, chemicals, bedding, feed, local habitats and neighbouring dwellings Air Regular inspection and maintenance of equipment Unlikely Toxic smoke and other pollutants, surface run-off from firefighting water, surface run-off from failed storage tanks, pipes and stores Exploding gas and fuel canisters and containers Increased numbers of dead animals for disposal Dust and fibres from sheet building material which may contain asbestos Low
Below ground dirty water tank and pipe ruptures/overflows (including used disinfectant) Dirty water flows over yard to clean drain inlet at the back of the office and into local water course The surface water drainage system Curbing to prevent water entering nearby water courses Use of Defra/NOAH approved disinfectants Block off drain inlet with sand bags kept by diesel tank If already entered drain, block off ditch with boards at point Y as indicated on Accident Management Plan Contact office or duty manager. If necessary contact Environment Agency Unlikely Contamination of local water course Not significant This document has been prepared by the applicant using the BPEX template. While the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, operating through its BPEX division, seeks to ensure that the information contained within this document is accurate at the time of printing, no warranty is given in respect thereof and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused (including that caused by negligence) or suffered directly or indirectly in relation to information and opinions contained in or omitted from this document.