Packhouse, Greenhouse And Harvest Workers (tomatoes)

Job description

H-2A and corresponding domestic workers must be available to perform each of the following job activities in connection with the harvesting and farming operations:

Packhouse, Greenhouse and Harvest Workers (Tomatoes), General Labor, Equipment/Forklift Operator, General Farm Labor / General Ranch Maintenance, Prepare freshly harvested crops for shipment in their original, unmanufactured state, Row Boss, Tractor Driver, Field Safety/Food Safety activities, Housing Monitor, Sanitization activities, and Health/Wellness Monitor. Working with tomatoes, packhouse, greenhouse and harvest workers will perform the following duties (all work is performed indoors in a hi-tech greenhouse setting).

Packhouse worker: Responsible for performing various functions involved in the packaging of product according to customer specifications and Food Safety Guidelines as instructed by supervisor. Pack, sort, and weigh tomatoes ensuring weight and quality requirements are met. Operate trolley that moves freshly harvested product to the packshouse. Assemble plastic hand fold crates, line boxes/crates with foam padding or plastic inserts. Prepare freshly harvested crops for shipment in their original, unmanufactured state. Monitor labeling machine for efficiency and load label reels as needed. Report quality, food safety, technical issues and/or safety hazards immediately to supervisor. Clean work area using cleaning solutions and hand tools. In addition to performance of the essential functions, this position may be required to perform a combination of the following supportive functions, with the percentage of time performing each function to be solely determined by the supervisor based upon the particular requirements of the company.

Quality Control: Quality control person makes sure that product meets standards of quality. Examines size and color of product to be of the quality required. Some quality control inspections are routine and quick, others are more complex and lengthier. Quality control person may be responsible for declaring that a product is not below the specified quality. Quality control person may also open and taste the product to make sure it meets quality standards.

•Ensure employee safety by attending assigned training and following safe work place practices
•Ensure sanitation and safety of produce by attending assigned training and following food safety practices
•Assist in greenhouse as needed

WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the essential duties of this job the employee regularly works near moving conveyor belts and forklift traffic and may use sharp objects such as scissors/shears. The temperature in packhouse may reach up to 90 degrees in summer months and down to 65 in winter months. Moderately noisy. The work entails repetitive movement during the course of the workday.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Frequency Key: Rare – up to 1 hour; Occasional – 1-3 hours; Frequent – 3-6 hours; Constant – 6-8 hours

Physical Activity & Frequency
Sitting - Rare
Walking/Standing - Constant
Climbing Stairs - Occasional
Kneeling/Crouching - Occasional
Bending/Stooping - Frequent
Twisting - Frequent
Reaching - Constant
Grasping - Constant
Pushing/Pulling - Frequent to Constant depending on task
Near Vision - Frequent
Far Vision - Frequent
Color Vision - Rare to Constant depending on task
Hearing - Frequent
Talking - Occasional
Smell - Occasional
Lifting/Carrying - Frequent up to 25 pounds
Travel - Rare

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may be required when performing work duties that may have the potential of risk to health or safety. The Company will provide the required PPE. Employees will be trained in the proper use and care of any assigned PPE. It is the worker’s responsibility to report defective, damaged or lost PPE, or equipment that does not fit properly to the Supervisor.

Special Requirements

2-months experience with crop work/warehouse is required. Written verification of experience is required. Workers must stand, sit, crouch, bend, reach, lift and carry items weighing from 15 to 25 pounds in the course of performing required activities. Must not be afraid of heights. Workers must be able to listen, understand, and follow instructions of company supervisors and managers.

The company's Employment Arbitration Agreement is set forth in this Clearance Order outlining the procedures to follow in raising concerns to seek their prompt resolution with an option to arbitrate unresolved matters.