Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

Horticultural
field crops
flowers
other crops such as mushrooms and specialty fungi
tropical and temperate tree crops
vine crops, including grapes.

Objective methods for
past records
sampling for size, maturity, colour, sugar or oil content
visual assessment.

Safe
adopting protection against solar radiation, noise, and organic and other dusts when working outdoors
applying correct techniques when lifting and carrying
controlling hazards and risks
correct manual handling
correctly mounting and dismounting machinery
ensuring loads are secure and within working specifications
guarding exposed moving parts
handling, applying and storing hazardous substances
identifying and avoiding obstacles during harvesting operations
operating and maintaining machinery and equipment, including hydraulics
protecting people in the workplace
using and maintaining personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately
working from elevated platforms
working within confined spaces.

contracted resources
field bins and boxes
grading gauge
knives
platforms
scales
trolleys
trucks, trailers and tractors
waste containers.

enterprise policies and procedures, including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines
food safety and HACCP procedures and requirements
harvesting methods or techniques to be used
industry standards
manager's oral or written instructions
manufacturer specifications
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
operator manuals
processes or actions undertaken to meet customer requirements
product labels
production schedules
productivity rates
quality standards to be achieved
requirements for export markets such as:
Bioterrorism Act (US)
Codex Alimentarius
EUREPGAP
standard operating procedures
work notes and plans.

Crop
fire
hail
transport damage.

communication devices
constructions such as firebreaks
fire vehicles
fixtures such as dams, tanks, pumps and water mains.

applying pre-harvest chemical treatments
cuts from knives or other harvesting tools
dust
occupational overuse syndrome (OOS)
working in confined and enclosed spaces
working in vicinity of pesticide residues
working with and close to vehicles and plant.

coolrooms and cold storage
field bins
other controlled atmosphere storage facilities
pallets
racks
temporary storage.

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

This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units of competency relevant to the job function such as:

BSBHR402A
RTC4908A

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The critical requirements for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.

Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

organise resources
negotiate resource and labour contracts
estimate crop yield
arrange storage and delivery requirements.

Context and specific resources for assessment
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will most appropriately be assessed in the workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
For valid assessment, one must have opportunities to participate in exercises, case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor a horticultural crop harvesting program.

The candidate must also have access to the following resources:

crops for harvesting
equipment and labour resources required for harvesting.

Guidance information for assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency 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.
The skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor a horticultural crop harvesting program must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts, including the ability to deal with unplanned events. For example, this could include different crops or different climatic regions.