AHCBAC203
Assist agricultural crop harvesting


Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist agricultural crop harvesting.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.

This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for agricultural crop harvesting operations

1.1 Confirm crop harvesting instructions with the supervisor

1.2 Select and prepare machinery, equipment and tools

1.3 Identify work health and safety hazards in crop harvesting, assess risks and report to the supervisor

1.4 Select, use and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment

2. Prepare harvesting machinery and vehicles for crop harvesting operations

2.1 Ensure harvesting machinery and vehicles are fuelled

2.2 Conduct routine checks for oil levels, tyre pressures, and water levels and greasing points

2.3 Confirm instructions regarding location of the day's harvesting program, special operating instructions or work procedures

3. Assist with harvesting of crops

3.1 Assist the operation of harvesting machinery and ancillary equipment appropriately and to suit crop conditions

3.2 Maintain the hygiene of all surfaces that come into contact with the crop

3.3 Assist in regularly checking and adjusting harvester and ancillary equipment where required

4 Complete harvesting operation

4.1 Clean harvesting machinery and vehicles appropriately

4.2 Dispose of all containers, leftover fluids, waste and debris according to enterprise polices and minimising the impact on the environment

4.3 Apply enterprise biosecurity policies

4.4 Complete all required workplace records appropriately

Evidence of Performance

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

identify hazards and follow safety directions

communicate with supervisor

calibrate equipment

measure quantities of treatment

operate machinery to manufacturer's specifications and enterprise procedures

prepare harvesting machinery and equipment to harvest crops

operate vehicles and machinery safely and as directed to support the harvesting team

carry out routine checks and refuelling of harvesting vehicles and machinery

dispose of waste liquids and harvest debris according to environmental procedures

record information as requested

follow enterprise work health and safety policies in the context of own work

follow enterprise biosecurity policies in the context of own work.


Evidence of Knowledge

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

harvesting machinery operation and equipment basic maintenance

harvesting machinery and equipment servicing

hazard identification and safe work practices in harvesting

types of crops and their characteristics

crop hygiene requirements

enterprise work health and safety and biosecurity polices.


Assessment Conditions

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.


Foundation Skills

Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.


Range Statement


Sectors

Broad acre cropping (BAC)