Co-ordinate the establishment of crops or plants

This standard is for those who co-ordinate the establishment of crops or plants in outdoor or protected conditions. It is applicable to planting by hand or by machine.

This includes planting crops or plants in any horticultural setting, whether amenity (green roofs, gardens, sports turf, mixed grassed and planted areas etc.) or production (fruit, vegetables, trees, etc.).

The identification and establishment of available resources required for planting, will include the need to identify crops or plants by their common and botanical names. As well as knowledge of common and botanical names this standard will also cover grouping of different plants.

You will require considerable knowledge of the principles and methods of planting operations.

This standard covers the co-ordination of your own workload, in some instances it may involve co-ordinating the work of teams.

If you are required to use chemicals (e.g. herbicides, fungicides or insecticides), these are subject to relevant legislative requirements, and you will need to be in possession of the relevant qualifications or be under the direct supervision of someone who possesses the relevant qualification.

1. assess the risks associated with the site and the establishment of crops or plants 2. carry out an environmental assessment of the site before starting work 3. confirm that the site is in an optimum condition for planting 4. confirm that the necessary working methods for planting are established and clearly communicated 5. confirm that suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) are worn 6. check that planting takes place at the appropriate time to optimise plant growth and development 7. identify and co-ordinate the availability of equipment and resources required for planting 8. co-ordinate the processing of recycling or disposal of waste in accordance with relevant legal and organisational requirements 9. confirm that hygiene and biosecurity are maintained in accordance with organisational practices 10. check that the quality of the crop or plant material and work methods meet specifications 11. confirm the crop or plant material is prepared according to specifications 12. confirm that crops or plants are positioned within the growing media according to specifications 13. check that the crop or plant material is handled in a manner which optimises establishment, growth and development, and prevents damage 14. check the integrity of the site is maintained 15. assess the need to apply crop or plant protection 16. confirm appropriate records are completed as required by relevant legislation and the organisational requirements 17. confirm that work is carried out in accordance with relevant environmental and health and safety policies and risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and organisational policies

1. how to identify hazards, assess risks and interpret risk assessments 2. the importance of carrying out an environmental assessment of the site before commencing the establishment of crops or plants and the findings which may affect planting 3. the optimum conditions required for planting 4. the working methods for carrying out planting 5. the types of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity 6. the types and quantity of equipment and materials required for planting operations 7. the safe and correct use of resources when carrying out planting 8. specifications and timescales for planting operations 9. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done 10. the role of crop rotation where appropraite when establishing crops or plants 11. stages of plant development 12. how to identify problems with the quantity of crop or plant material and the action to take as required 13. how to identify problems with the quality of work methods when co-ordinating the establishment of crops or plants and the action to take as required 14. how to identify weeds, moss, pests and diseases and what action to take 15. methods for preparing crop or plant material 16. the correct positioning of the crops or plants in the growing media 17. correct methods for handling and transporting crop or plant material 18. methods of maintaining hygiene and biosecurity and the reasons why it is important 19. problems that may arise during planting and what action to take 20. the relevant legal and organisational requirements for the handling, transporting and disposal of waste 21. the importance of maintaining records for establishing crops or plants relevant to legal and organisational requirements 22. the importance of following environmental and ecological best practice to help minimise the impact of your work on the environment 23. your responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation, codes of practice and organisational policies