Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to carry out routine post-harvest operations on a horticultural enterprise.
It applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare for postharvest operations | 1.1 Identify post-harvest treatments and operations to be performed and client specifications 1.2 Select materials, tools, equipment and machinery 1.3 Carry out pre-operational and safety checks on tools, equipment and machinery 1.4 Comply with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and food safety requirements applicable to crop under cultivation 1.5 Follow site quarantine protocols and farm and personal hygiene requirements |
2. Transport harvested produce | 2.1 Transport produce from field to post-harvest processing or storage area with care 2.2 Maintain temperature of harvested produce at levels set by industry and enterprise work procedures 2.3 Maintain containers and other materials and equipment |
3. Grade, label, treat, weigh and pack produce | 3.1 Grade and label produce according to client specifications 3.2 Apply post-harvest treatments to produce 3.3 Identify quality parameters of produce and specifications for packaging materials, containers, filling techniques and labelling 3.4 Select packaging materials and containers for specific produce 3.5 Weigh filled containers, record weight and repack to correct weight 3.6 Use correct filling techniques for specific containers and produce 3.7 Apply wraps and lids and label containers according to client specifications |
4. Store produce in a facility | 4.1 Place containers onto pallets or racks to ensure stability and optimum airflow 4.2 Transport to and arrange pallets or racks in storage facility 4.3 Read storage facility monitoring gauges and report abnormal readings 4.4 Check condition of stored produce and remove damaged produce and containers from storage facility 4.5 Clean storage facility and packing containers |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
identify post-harvest treatments and operations to be performed
label produce accurately and correctly
maintain records of post-harvest operations to allow traceability
minimise handling damage to produce
transport, grade, treat, pack and store harvested produce according to market requirements and industry and enterprise standards
use a range of equipment for handling and transporting produce
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
principles and practices of post-harvest operations
attributes of enterprise produce in relation to desired quality of produce to be presented to client
characteristics and procedures for the use of cool rooms
cool chain principles and practices
correct storage temperatures for a range of enterprise produce
disposal of waste materials to minimise damage to external environment
environmental effects of post-harvest treatments
humidity levels and its effect on quality of enterprise produce
hygiene issues in the handling and storage of plant produce
industry standards for packaging
produce handling and cooling requirements
relationship between quality attributes of produce and packing techniques and packaging
storage methods for different enterprise produce
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Production horticulture (PHT)