Undertake agricultural crop harvesting activities

RTE3009A

Undertake agricultural crop harvesting activities

Unit Descriptor

This competency standard covers the process of harvesting agricultural crops. It includes preparing machinery and equipment, harvesting, cleaning and maintaining machinery and equipment and completing workplace records. Harvesting is likely to be carried out under limited supervision. Overall progress may be checked periodically and will usually follow set routines, methods and procedures. Some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment and materials, organisation, or work and services. The outcomes should be achieved within specified timelines.

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1 . 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. OHS hazards are identified, risks assessed and suitable controls are implemented. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained. The environmental implications of harvesting the crop are identified, likely outcomes assessed and, if necessary, responsible action is taken. Windrowing/swathing is completed to the standard required by the harvest strategy. Crop is sampled for moisture content against the classification standards . The hygiene standards for the crop and the paddock are identified from the harvest strategy and/or the crop storage plan.
2 . 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 appropriately. All maintenance and servicing is documented according to the requirements of the organisations record keeping system.
3 . Harvest crops	The harvest strategy is followed and completed for each paddock. OHS hazards are identified, risks assessed and suitable controls are implemented. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained. The environmental implications of harvesting are identified, likely outcomes assessed and, if necessary, responsible action is taken. Harvesting machinery and ancillary equipment is operated in a safe manner and at speeds to suit crop conditions. The quality of the crop is maximised by maintaining the hygiene of all surfaces that come into contact with the crop. The quality of the crop is maximised 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.
4 . Complete harvesting operations	Equipment is cleaned in accordance with manufacturers specifications, organisational procedures and regulations. Attachments and other ancillary equipment are cleaned and stored to minimise damage and to maximise hygiene according to manufacturers 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 appropriately. All required records and documentation are completed accurately and promptly in accordance with organisational requirements.

Key Competency	Examples of Application	Performance Level
How can information be collected, analysed and organised?	In dealing with the full range of field staff and industry participants.	1
How are ideas and information communicated within this competency?	In collecting and interpreting information to do with equipment performance and maintenance.	1
How are activities planned and organised?	In preparing for, undertaking, and completing crop harvesting operations.	1
How are problem solving skills applied?	In completing specified activities and operations.	1
How are mathematical ideas and techniques used?	In calculating loads, yields and crop quality.	1
How is use of technology applied?	By accessing information from supervisors and in the operation of equipment.	1
How is team work used within this competency?	In operating any necessary equipment prior to, and during, the harvest - communication technology, calculating equipment, measuring equipment.	1

Range Statement

What agricultural crops does this unit cover?

Agricultural crops covered by this unit include wheat and coarse grains, cotton, grain legumes, oilseeds, sugar, temperate and tropical pastures.

What actions could be taken to eliminate or minimise OHS risk?

The range of actions are both systemic and at an operational level. These are listed below.

Systems should be in place to ensure the safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment. Precautions should also be in place to minimise exposure to noise and organic and other dusts. Systems and procedures for harvesting and handling the crop, as well as working with and around electricity should also be in place.

Fixtures should be in place in all silos and storage sheds, including appropriate access ladders, handrails and ladder cages.

Personal protective equipment should be selected, used and maintained.

Environmental conditions should be controlled e.g., keeping moisture levels as low as possible will reduce the likelihood of fire.

Procedures should be in place and used for working on harvesters, working with grain mass movement and stability, working within confined working spaces, moving vehicles, and working at height.

Record keeping practices should ensure that requirements are met in relation to properly observing and using product labels and MSDS sheets, instruction manuals and written organisational procedures.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?

Boots, hat/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or facemask, and sun protection (sun hat, sun screen).

What environmental implications may be associated with cleaning and maintenance procedures?

Detrimental environmental impacts may result from excessive noise and exhaust emissions, the incorrect use and disposal of maintenance debris (oils, containers, chemical residues), and hazardous substances (fuel). Impacts may also include run-off flows of water and cleaning agents from servicing, maintenance and cleaning activities.

What classification standards are used for comparison?

These are the standards for the measurement of moisture in the crop and are produced and available from receiving authorities.

What equipment might be used alongside the harvester and windrowers during the harvest?

A range of equipment from grain augers and field and chaser bins to towing vehicles, tarpaulins, fire control equipment, conveyors, communication equipment, and crop treatment equipment.

What should be cleaned in preparation for and subsequent to, the harvest and how should it be done?

All surfaces of harvesters, and any equipment that comes into contact with the crop should be cleaned, using one of the following methods: compressed air, water wash, vacuum and water, and/or brush.

How might information be documented?

Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

What actions should be taken to ensure that equipment is operated safely?

Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

What fire prevention measures may need to be taken?

These will be outlined in the harvest strategy. The measures planned for and taken will address fire risks and hazards and will meet legislative requirements.

What actions will require documentation?

These will be outlined in the harvest strategy. The measures planned for and taken will address fire risks and hazards and will meet legislative requirements.

Evidence Guide

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

appropriate legislative requirements, manufacturers instructions and organisation procedures/instructions
pre-operational and safety checks, servicing and maintenance procedures for tools and equipment
potential hazards associated with the operation of basic tools and equipment
general machine maintenance procedures
machinery operating principles and operating methods
environmental impacts associated with the operation of machinery and equipment in a harvesting context
organisation recording and reporting procedures
pests and signs of pest infestation in the crop
organisation moisture and hygiene requirements for the crop and equipment that comes into contact with the crop
operational procedures and standards for harvesting and ancillary equipment.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

use communication systems
handle and manoeuvre harvesting equipment
complete pre- and post-operational checks on tools, harvester and equipment
perform routine safety, service and maintenance procedures on tools, harvester and equipment
read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans, and Material Safety Data Sheets
interpret and apply task instructions, communicate with work team and supervisor, and record and report faults, workplace hazards and accidents.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?

This competency standard could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.

Essential Assessment Information

There is essential information about assessing this competency standard for consistent performance and where and how it may be assessed, in the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package. All users of these competency standards must have access to the Assessment Guidelines. Further advice may also be sought from the relevant sector booklet.