GAPC Certification Tips
Certification Audits have begun in flue-cured tobacco areas.  Don't forget to complete your self-assessments before your audit date.  
Our weekly email containing tips, advice and reminders that will help you achieve GAPC Certification in 2018. 
This week: More Housing and Audit Results
1. Housing: Don't forget your Terms and Conditions of Occupancy!
In last week's email we listed what you needed if you or third-party (such as a FLC/crew leader) provides housing directly to workers including posting or presenting to each worker, in their native language a statement of the terms and conditions of occupancy. 
The question will be "If housing is provided to migrant employees, is there a posted and filed statement at the farm that includes, at minimum, the following terms and conditions of occupancy?" 
The auditor will request to see the terms and conditions which must include the following information:
  • The name and address of the farm labor contractor, agricultural employer, or agricultural association providing the housing
  • The name and address of the individual in charge of the housing
  • The mailing address and phone number where persons living in the housing facility may be reached
  • Who may live at the housing facility
  • The charges to be made for housing
  • The meals to be provided and the charges to be made for them
  • The charges for utilities
  • Any other charges or conditions of occupancy 
Growers may use a DOL form, WH Form 521 – Housing Terms and Conditions (PDF), to satisfy this requirement (https://www.dol.gov/whd/forms/wh521.pdf). Growers need to fill in the blanks and post in the housing or present to the workers prior to them using the housing.
2. Audit Results: When do I get the results?
  1. Grower completes the audit.
  2. GAPC emails the grower a copy of the questionnaire which includes the answers to each question as soon as the auditor submits the questionnaire.  In the emailed questionnaire, any question the grower missed (i.e. not in compliance) is marked with a red "x" and the following provided:
  • Category (Critical or Additional)
  • Points Possible
  • Remediation process (if remediable)
3. The report contains a letter that states:
         "If you agree that your responses are accurate, then please sign the bottom of this                 form and return it to GAP Connections."
4. Once GAPC receives this letter and confirms all other requirements are met (i.e. training,       self-assessment, 2018 578's, etc.) GAPC will release the official results and post them in         the grower's Certification Status report.  The Certification Status report is found by                 logging on to www.gapconnections.com. This information is also shared with any                   companies with a completed data release. 
Don't have a good email address?
If you do not have an email address the report is mailed to the mailing address listed for the farm.
Don't agree with the results?
If a grower does not agree with the answers reported on the questionnaire they can contact GAPC and/or use the GAPC Appeals process to have a committee review his/her objection.  

Remember ALL needed remediation must be done within four weeks of receiving the results of the Certification Audit.
In future emails...  
  • Appeals Process
  • Emergency and Disaster Planning
We will also be answering these questions and posting them online for easy access at: 
http://www.gapconnections.com/growers/faq-certification

Would someone else benefit from receiving these Certification emails?
If so forward this email to them and have them sign-up to receive these email by clicking below.
sign-up for Certification emails
Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
2450 E.J. Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN | 37996 US
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
powered by emma
Subscribe to our email list.