FDFWGG2015A
Support mechanical harvesting operations

This specialist unit has been developed for the wine grape growing stream of wine sector. It covers the skills and knowledge required to collect grapes from a mechanical harvester and deliver them to the receival point.

Application

This unit includes the ability to attach, set up and detach equipment as required, and the support of activities from harvesting to preparation for receival.



Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

Prepare for harvest support activities

Work requirements are identified

Equipment is checked to confirm readiness for use

Equipment is set up to meet harvest support requirements

Collect grapes from harvester

Tractor towing trailer or gondola is driven alongside mechanical harvester according to instructions

Collection activities are monitored to confirm performance is maintained within specification

Out-of-specification performance is recognised, rectified and/or reported

Problems and anomalies are recognised, rectified and/or reported

Equipment is maintained in good working order

Transfer grapes to receival point

Chemicals are added to grapes according to instructions

Grapes are delivered to receival point according to instructions

Complete harvest support activities

Equipment is cleaned according to workplace procedures

Waste generated by the process or cleaning procedures is collected, sorted and disposed of or recycled, according to workplace procedures

Work is conducted in accordance with workplace environmental guidelines

Record information

Workplace information is recorded in the appropriate format

Required Skills

Required skills

Note: The following required skills should be applied as appropriate to the equipment and processes that are used in the particular winery or workplace.

Ability to:

Access workplace information to identify harvest support requirements

Liaise with other work areas

Select, fit and use appropriate personal protective clothing and/or equipment

Select, attach and set up appropriate equipment

Carry out pre-operational checks of equipment according to workplace procedures

Operate equipment safely

Identify and rectify, remove and/or report potential occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards

Collect grapes from the discharge conveyer. This should include:

avoiding all contact with or damage to other machinery and equipment, vines, trellises or fences

safe handling of equipment

maintaining appropriate speed and distance

starting off and swapping over

changing rows

day-time and night-time harvesting

variety of harvesting conditions and varieties

Monitor grape collection activities. This may include monitoring:

equipment breakages or malfunction

vine or trellis damage

grape quality and quantity

matter other than grapes (MOG) collected

load weight

chemical application to fruit loads

collection accuracy of grapes

tipping accuracy of grapes at receival point

progress

congestion or backlog at receival point

performance according to specifications

Report and/or record problems and/or corrective action

Identify, rectify and/or report environmental non-compliance

Shut down equipment in response to an emergency situation

Shut down equipment in response to routine shutdown requirements

Handle, prepare and add chemicals according to instructions

Take the necessary action to protect fruit quality where possible. This may include parking fruit carriers in a shaded area

Deliver grapes to receival point according to instructions. This may include tipping the trailer or gondola

Maintain workplace records according to workplace standards

Maintain work area to meet housekeeping standards

Use appropriate cleaning techniques

Carry out routine maintenance of equipment according to enterprise procedures

Use oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

Work cooperatively within a culturally diverse workforce

Required knowledge

Note: The following required knowledge should be applied as appropriate to the equipment and processes that are used in the particular winery or workplace.

Knowledge of:

Key factors that will affect grape and/or wine quality. This may include:

temperature

oxidation

MOG collected

speed of processing

chemical addition

Features and benefits of methods to preserve grape and/or wine quality

Common problems and anomalies

Procedures and operating parameters

Significance and methods of monitoring performance

Common faults and corrective action required

OHS hazards and controls

Environmental issues and controls

Procedures and responsibility for reporting problems

Recording requirements and procedures

Cleaning requirements associated with changeovers

Shutdown sequence of equipment

Cleaning procedures

Routine maintenance procedures for equipment where relevant

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Assessment must be carried out in a manner that recognises the cultural and literacy requirements of the assessee and is appropriate to the work performed. Competence in this unit must be achieved in accordance with food safety standards and regulations.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of ability to:

use personal protective clothing and equipment

confirm availability of specified materials and prepare according to instructions

select and confirm status and suitability of equipment

start and operate equipment in accordance with operation instructions and requirements of workplace and task

monitor harvesting operation to achieve specified result

take corrective action in response to out-of-specification results or non-compliance

demonstrate knowledge of OHS hazards, controls and emergency procedures

sort, collect, treat, recycle or dispose of waste

record information appropriately.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to:

personal protective clothing and equipment as required

work procedures, including advice on company practices, safe work practices, food safety, quality and environmental requirements

instructions, information, specifications and schedules as required

equipment, services and corresponding information as required

products and materials as required

internal and external customers and suppliers as required

cleaning procedures, materials and equipment as required

documentation and recording requirements and procedures.

Method of assessment

This unit should be assessed together with other units of competency relevant to the function or work role.

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competence should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Policies and procedures

Work is carried out in accordance with workplace procedures, licensing requirements and legislative requirements

Workplace information

Workplace information can include:

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

specifications

production schedules

instructions

routine maintenance schedules

work notes

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

manufacturer instructions

verbal direction from manager, supervisor or senior operator

Equipment

Equipment may include:

tractors

trailers

gondolas

grape bins

forklift

Problems and anomalies

Problems and anomalies may include:

rotten, diseased, immature or over-ripe grapes

MOG

potential hazards for the harvester or operators

Terrain

Terrain must enable the safe and effective performance of harvest support activities. It may include:

tracks

access roads

straight or curving vineyard rows

flat, undulating, steep, hilly or terraced land

on- and off-road environments

Conditions

Conditions must enable the safe and effective performance of harvest support activities. These may include:

dry

wet

slippery

boggy

icy

foggy

windy

day and night conditions

Receival points

Receival points may include:

a winery

marshalling area

truck or loading bays

Equipment status

Confirming equipment status involves:

checking that all safety standards and pre-start requirements are met and equipment is operational

Information systems

Information systems may be:

print or screen based

Work hazards

Work may involve exposure to:

chemical, dangerous or hazardous substances


Sectors

Unit sector

Wine operations


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.