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Store and maintain harvested crops

URN: LANAgC6
Business Sectors (Suites): Agricultural Crop Production,Crofting and Smallholding,Horticulture
Developed by: Lantra
Approved on: 2022

Overview

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This standard covers the storage and maintenance of harvested crops. Crops can include grass and forage crops, cereals/grains, root crops, pulses, oilseed rape, hops, vegetables, herbs, flowers or fruit. The standard applies to the storage of crops indoors or outdoors. It also covers temperature-controlled storage.

The standard includes preparing the storage area, storing the crop, and monitoring and maintaining the crop while in storage.
 
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 storage and maintenance of harvested crops.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

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  1. assess the risks associated with the required activity
  2. wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
  3. select, prepare, use and maintain the required equipment, safely and correctly
  4. maintain hygiene and bio-security, in accordance with business practices
  5. prepare the storage facility, in accordance with instructions and specifications
  6. carry out measures to prevent the risk of contamination by pests or disease, in accordance with instructions and specifications
  7. check that harvested crops have been properly prepared before storage
  8. store harvested crops in the storage facility, in accordance with instructions and specifications and in a manner that minimises damage
  9. maintain the storage facility in a safe and secure condition
  10. conduct routine inspections of the storage facility and the crop, in accordance with instructions and specifications, and take any action required
  11. check the environmental conditions of storage facilities and take any action required
  12. maintain harvested crops in an optimum condition, in accordance with instructions and specifications
  13. carry out stock rotation, where required, in accordance with instructions and specifications
  14. remove crops from the storage facility, in accordance with business requirements and in a manner that minimises damage
  15. maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in, or affected by, your work 
  16. follow industry and business guidance to minimise environmental damage
  17. process waste safely and correctly, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices
  18. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and business policies
  19. 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 risks associated with the storage of crops
  2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
  3. the types of equipment required for storing crops and how to prepare, use, maintain and store these, safely and correctly
  4. the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security when storing crops, and the methods for achieving this
  5. the type of storage facility and the conditions required for maintaining stored crops in their required condition, in accordance with instructions and specifications
  6. the signs of pests and disease and the necessary action to take
  7. the measures that can be taken to prevent the risk of damage from pests
  8. the use of pest control measures and the legislation relating to these
  9. the preparation requirements for harvested crops
  10. the reasons for the way harvested crops are arranged in storage facilities
  11. the ways in which security and safety of the storage facility are maintained
  12. the methods for conducting routine inspections of the storage facility and the crop, and why these are necessary
  13. how to recognise stored crops that are damaged or contaminated and the necessary action to take
  14. the methods of preventing damage or contamination to stored crops
  15. the purpose of stock rotation
  16. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
  17. the importance of following the relevant environmental and ecological best practice to help minimise the impact of your work on the environment
  18. how to handle, transport, store and dispose of waste, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices
  19. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies
  20. 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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Instructions and specifications: 

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

Routine inspections for the presence of:

• animals
• insects
• birds
• mould
• disease
• contamination
• bruising/damage
• moisture/humidity
• changes in temperature

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

6

Indicative Review Date

2027

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Lantra

Original URN

LANAgC6

Relevant Occupations

Farmer, Fruit and Vegetable Production Worker, General Farm Worker, Nursery Worker, Crofter, Smallholder

SOC Code

5119

Keywords

crops; storage; vegetables; arable; grass; forage; fruit