What You Need To Do Task brief
Imagine you are supervising a new Level 2 General Farm Worker apprentice who is using a named piece of equipment for the first time.
Choose one item of equipment used on your farm. It must be covered by PUWER, must not be a road vehicle and should include some form of technology.
- Explain the equipment in simple language.
- Show what it is used for and who normally operates it.
- Explain the main hazards and what could go wrong if it is used badly.
- Describe the technology and how it improves the job.
- Say how the equipment should be checked, cleaned and maintained.
- Identify common faults or warning signs that a supervisor should spot early.
- Describe the worst possible outcome if instructions or safety advice are ignored.
Choose Your Equipment Pick one
Suitable examples from the workbook include:
- Cattle crush with weigh head and EID reader
- Sheep handling system with automatic drafter
- Robotic milking unit, focusing on one specific task
- Automated calf milk feeder
- GPS-guided fertiliser spreader
- Seed drill with electronic rate control
- Grain dryer control panel
- Sprayer section control system, set-up only
Keep the explanation at apprentice level. If a new starter would not understand the wording, simplify it further.
Explain the Technology Keep it simple
Do not just list the technology. Say what it actually does and why it matters.
- What technology is fitted to the equipment.
- What the technology does during the job.
- How it helps the operator.
- How it improves efficiency, accuracy, productivity, animal welfare, crop performance or waste reduction.
- How the equipment would be different without the technology.
Daily Checks, Cleaning and Faults Before use
- Daily checks needed to keep the technology working correctly.
- Cleaning and maintenance needed before and after use.
- Common faults or warning signs that should be spotted early.
- What the supervisor should do if something looks wrong.
- The worst case if the operator ignores the instructions or safety advice.
Top tip: read your work back and ask, "Would a new apprentice understand what this equipment does, how it works and why the technology is there?"
Prompt Ideas Writing help
Introduce the equipment
- What is the equipment?
- What is it designed to do?
- Where and when is it normally used?
- Who would normally operate it?
Explain how it works
- Describe the main components.
- Explain the steps from start to finish.
- Describe how the operator controls the job.
Write like a supervisor
- Keep the explanation clear, practical and jargon free.
- Assume the reader has little or no experience.
- Focus on safety, understanding and good practice.