The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said workers in food processing plants have been included in its new assessment of acute risks posed by exposure to the most hazardous pesticides.

The new guidance from the EFSA assessed the risk posed by pesticides to workers, operators, bystanders and residents, who had hitherto not been considered.

The EFSA has urged further investigation into the exposure of workers to pesticides as a “particular priority” with an emphasis on food packers, the EFSA said in a statement.

The paper has introduced additional risk assessment for pesticides where toxicity could arise from acute exposure over the course of a day.

The guidance has been published after EFSA’s Panel on plant protection products and their residues suggested a series of changes to the evaluation of exposure to chemicals.

The body has launched a public consultation and is urging any interested parties, including food processors, to comment on the guidance before its deadline of September 15.

The EFSA said hopes the improved risk assessment measures and estimations on risk scenarios will help boost protection measures.

Further research was recommended into certain situations, including worker exposure during both crop inspections and post-harvest activities, around exposure to the chemicals to “reduce uncertainty”.