Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare to harvest agricultural crops
- Requirements for the work to be undertaken, method and order of harvesting is interpreted from the harvest strategy and confirmed with the supervisor.
- Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risks assessed and risk controls are implemented for the harvesting operation.
- Personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained.
- The environmental impacts of harvesting the crop are identified and action taken where required.
- Windrowing/swathing is completed to the standard required.
- Crop is sampled for moisture content to assess timing of harvest.
- The hygiene standards for the crop and the paddock are identified from the harvest strategy and/or the crop storage plan.
- Prepare the harvesting equipment
- Harvesting machinery and other equipment are cleaned of pests and other contaminants to maintain crop and paddock hygiene standards, as required by the harvest strategy.
- All machinery and equipment are serviced, assessed for reliability, adjusted for harvesting conditions and appropriate parts are replaced to ensure reliability during the harvest.
- All containers, leftover fluids, waste and debris from the maintenance and servicing work are disposed of safely and in line with environmental guidelines.
- All maintenance and servicing is documented according to the requirements of the organisation.
- Harvest crops
- The harvest strategy is followed and completed for each paddock.
- Personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained for harvesting.
- Harvesting machinery and ancillary equipment is operated in a safe manner and at speeds to suit crop conditions.
- Cleanliness and purity of the harvested product is maximised by maintaining the hygiene of all surfaces that come into contact with the crop.
- The quality of product is optimised by continually checking and, where necessary, adjusting the harvester and ancillary equipment, including their height and other settings.
- Fire prevention measures are taken as outlined and described in the harvest strategy.
- Complete harvesting operations
- Equipment is cleaned in accordance with manufacturer's specifications, organisational procedures and regulations.
- Attachments and other ancillary equipment are cleaned and stored to minimise damage and to maximise hygiene according to manufacturer's specifications, organisational procedures and regulations.
- Insecticides are applied as required by the organisation and the harvest strategy.
- All containers, leftover fluids, waste and debris from the maintenance and servicing work are disposed of safely and according to environmental requirements.
- Harvesting equipment is moved between sites and on public roads in compliance with legislation including hygiene requirements.
- All required records and documentation are completed accurately and promptly in accordance with enterprise requirements.