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Harvest crops by mechanical means

URN: LANAgC5
Business Sectors (Suites): Agricultural Crop Production,Crofting and Smallholding,Horticulture
Developed by: Lantra
Approved on: 31 Jan 2022

Overview

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This standard covers the harvesting of crops by mechanical means. Harvesting methods will depend on the type of crop involved, the product specifications and destination. Crops could include grass and forage crops, cereals/grains, root crops, pulses, oilseed rape, hops, vegetables, herbs, flowers, bulbs, 
shrubs, trees or fruit. 

When working with machinery or equipment you should be trained, and hold the current certification where required, in accordance with the relevant legislation.

When carrying out your work you must consider the impact it will have on the environment, and work towards preserving and improving habitats and biodiversity and responding to and mitigating the effects of climate change.

This standard is suitable for those who carry out the harvesting of crops by mechanical means. Harvesting crops manually is covered in LANH30 Harvest crops by hand.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

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  1. assess the risks associated with the activity to be carried out
  2. wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
  3. select, prepare, use and maintain harvesting machinery and equipment, safely and correctly
  4. check that harvesting machinery and equipment is fit for use and confirm that it is set up correctly for the crop
  5. use machinery and equipment to harvest crops, in accordance with instructions and specifications
  6. harvest crops by mechanical means in a way that minimises loss and damage and maintains the quality of the crop
  7. carry out adjustments to the equipment and machinery to maintain optimum performance
  8. identify crops that do not meet product specifications and take appropriate action
  9. maintain the safety and security of equipment and machinery on site
  10. maintain hygiene and bio-security during harvesting, in accordance with business procedures
  11. maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in, or affected by, your work
  12. follow industry and business guidance to minimise environmental damage
  13. process waste safely and correctly, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices
  14. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and business policies
  15. complete records as required by the relevant legislation and the business

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

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  1. how to identify hazards and assess the risks associated with harvesting crops
  2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
  3. the types of machinery and equipment required for harvesting crops and how to prepare, maintain and use these, safely and correctly
  4. the use of technology in the harvesting of crops, including GPS and yield mapping
  5. the stages of crop development
  6. how weather conditions will influence harvesting decisions
  7. how to recognise crops that do not meet product specifications for harvesting and the action that should be taken
  8. how to recognise crop damage and how to prevent damage to crops
  9. how harvesting methods vary according to the type of crop, the product specifications and destination
  10. the importance of carrying out the harvesting of crops by mechanical means, in accordance with instructions and specifications
  11. how to make adjustments to the harvesting process and when these are required
  12. the sort of problems that may arise during harvesting and the actions to take
  13. why it is important to maintain the safety and security of equipment and machinery when on site
  14. the importance of maintaining suitable levels of hygiene and bio-security during harvesting, and the methods for achieving this
  15. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
  16. the importance of following the relevant environmental and ecological best practice to help minimise the impact of your work on the environment
  17. the actions that can be taken to preserve and improve habitat and biodiversity and to respond to and mitigate the effects of climate change
  18. the methods for the recycling or disposal of waste created by the harvesting process
  19. how to handle, transport, store and dispose of waste, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices
  20. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies
  21. the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing them

Scope/range

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

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Crops could include:

• grass and forage crops
• cereals/grains
• root crops
• pulses 
• oilseed rape 
• hops
• vegetables
• herbs
• flowers
• bulbs
• shrubs
• trees
• fruit

Instructions and specifications: 

• drawings/plans
• schedules
• method statements
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• manufacturer’s guidelines 
• customer requirements
• quality assurance requirements
• crop requirements
• verbal instructions

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

6

Indicative Review Date

31 Jan 2027

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Lantra

Original URN

LANAgC5

Relevant Occupations

Agricultural Machinery Operator, Farmer, Fruit and Vegetable Production Worker, Nursery Worker, Tractor Driver, Crofter, Smallholder

SOC Code

5119

Keywords

harvest; crops; machinery