Fresh Produce Standards
PERSONNEL Version 5.1
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Key – Those standards which have greater significance (all other standards are normal)
Recommendation – Those which do not affect certification
New – A completely new standard which the member must now adhere to
Revised – A standard that has changed and requires the member to take some different or additional action to before
Upgraded – The standard has been upgraded to a Key standard or from a Recommendation to a full standard
Appendix – Referenced in ‘How you will be measured’. Indicates that additional information is provided in the Appendices, which are available at the end of each section.
Cropping Categories Fresh Produce
Category 0 - Those you can eat raw and have a significant risk or history of pathogen contamination
Category 1 - Those you can eat raw and which do not have a protective skin that is removed before eating; they may also have a significant risk or history of pathogen contamination.
Category 2 - Those you can eat raw and which either have protective skin or grow clear of the ground, or that have no history of pathogen contamination.
Category 3 - Those that the customer always cooks.
An up-to-date list of the crop categories can be found on the Red Tractor website.
PR.PL.1 Key
Systems must be in place to ensure all personnel are effectively trained and deemed competent to carry out the activities they are required to do (REVISED)
How you will be measured
PR.PL.1.a
PR.PL.1.b
PR.PL.1.c
Induction record
PR.PL.2
Records of training must be kept
How you will be measured
PR.PL.2.a
PR.PL.2.b
PR.PL.2.c
Training Record
PR.PL.3
The performance and competence of employees must be regularly reviewed and refresher training implemented as required
How you will be measured
PR.PL.3.a
PR.PL.3.b
Training record
PR.PL.3.1
Where contractors are employed to undertake work on the production of crops, a Contractor's Commitment Document is in place which confirms that the contractor will comply with the Red Tractor Fresh Produce Scheme requirements.
How you will be measured
PR.PL.3.1.a
Contractor's Commitment Document
PR.PL.4
Where labour providers are used, they are licensed and a documented agreement is in place
How you will be measured
PR.PL.4.a
PR.PL.4.b
PR.PL.4.c
PR.PL.4.d
PR.PL.4.e
PR.PL.4.f
- Evidence of GLAA licence
- Service Level Agreement
PR.PL.5
Written Health and Safety Policy in place
How you will be measured
PR.PL.5.b
PR.PL.5.c
Health & Safety Policy
PR.PL.5.1
Accident and emergency procedures are displayed and communicated (NEW)
PR.PL.6
Any temporary, on site accommodation provided must be habitable and have suitable basic services
How you will be measured
PR.PL.6.a
PR.PL.6.b
PR.PL.6.c
PR.PL.6.d
PR.PL.6.e
PR.PL.6.f
PR.PL.6.g
PR.PL.6.h
- Electrician's certificate for electrical installations
– Record of gas installation maintenance.
PR.PL.6.1
Workers have access to clean drinking water, food storage where appropriate, and areas to eat and rest (NEW)
How you will be measured
PR.PL.6.1.a
PR.PL.6.1.b
PR.PL.7
A named person has responsibility for Health and Safety
Applies to any farm with workers
How you will be measured
PR.PL.7.a
PR.PL.7.b
PR.PL.7.c
Health and Safety Policy
PR.PL.8
Documented Health and Safety meetings take place
Applies to any farm with five or more employees
How you will be measured
PR.PL.8.a
PR.PL.8.b
PR.PL.8.c
PR.PL.8.d
Record of Health and Safety meetings
PR.PL.9
Appropriate first-aid requirements are defined and implemented
How you will be measured
PR.PL.9.a
PR.PL.9.b
PR.PL.9.c
PR.PL.9.d
- First-aid requirements
– Evidence of first-aid training
PR.PL.10
A Health and Safety risk assessment has been carried out, which includes consideration of increased risk for high-risk workers
Applies to any farm with workers
How you will be measured
PR.PL.10.a
PR.PL.10.b
PR.PL.10.c
- Health & Safety risk assessment
- Evidence of risk consideration for high-risk workers
PR.PL.10.1
A grievance mechanism appropriate to the scale of the farm is in place which allows workers to file complaints
Applies to any farm with workers (NEW)
How you will be measured
PR.PL.10.1.a
PR.PL.10.1.b
PR.PL.10.1.c
PR.PL.10.1.d
PR.PL.11
Substances hazardous to health are identified by warning signs
How you will be measured
PR.PL.11.a
PR.PL.12
COSHH assessments are completed and associated control measures are implemented
How you will be measured
PR.PL.12.a
PR.PL.12.b
PR.PL.12.c
COSHH assessment
PR.PL.13
Health checks are offered to workers applying PPPs when a need is identified within COSHH assessments
- COSHH assessment
– Record of health check offered to employee
PR.PL.14
A procedure regulates re-entry intervals for PPPs applied to crops
Only mandatory where PPPs with re-entry requirements are used
How you will be measured
PR.PL.14.a
PR.PL.14.b
PR.PL.14.c
Re-entry interval procedure
PR.PL.15
Appropriate protective equipment is made available to workers using PPPs and usage is effectively controlled
How you will be measured
PR.PL.15.a
PR.PL.15.b
PR.PL.15.c
PR.PL.15.d
PR.PL.15.e
PR.PL.15.f
PR.PL.15.g
PR.PL.15.h
PR.PL.15.i
PR.PL.15.j
RPE maintenance records
PR.PL.16
Workers taking samples from controlled atmosphere stores are appropriately trained
How you will be measured
PR.PL.16.a
PR.PL.16.b
- Procedure for sampling from controlled atmosphere stores
– Worker Training Record
- Farmwise – Your essential guide to health and safety in agriculture: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg270.pdf
- For best practice guidance on caravan accommodation for temporary workers see the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) ‘Guidance on provision of caravan accommodation for temporary workers in the UK’:
https://freshproduce.org.uk/advice/guidance-on-provision-of-caravan-accommodation-for-temporary-workers-in-the-uk - Gangmaster & Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA): www.gla.gov.uk
- Supermarkets and suppliers protocol with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority: Best practice guide:
https://www.gla.gov.uk/media/3294/supermarkets-and-suppliers-best-practice-guide-2017.pdf - Association of Labour Providers: https://labourproviders.org.uk
- Stronger Together: https://www.stronger2gether.org
- Health & Safety made simple: https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/index.htmht
- Employment status (‘worker’ and ‘employee’ definition): https://www.gov.uk/employment-status
- St John Ambulance First Aid Calculator: https://www.sja.org.uk/course-information/guidance-and-help/working-out-what-you-need
- HSE First Aid Guidance: https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/firstaid/index.htm
- DEFRA Code of Practice for using Plant Protection Products: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/resources/C/Code_of_Practice_for_using_Plant_Protection_Products_-_Complete20Code.pdf
More Standards
Download Fresh Produce Standards Manual
Download Fresh Produce Standards Manual – Including GLOBALG.A.P Module
Download the changes to the Fresh Produce Standards from 1 February 2025
Download watercress protocol
Download hops protocol
Useful Documents
UK Crops grown and risk categories
Fresh Produce assessment structure
- PL.1 – Records of induction and training may be recorded on either separate or consolidated records, provided compliance with all relevant requirements can be demonstrated
- PL.3 – It is recognised that some roles may involve ongoing supervision and for other employees – particularly those with specialist skills – less supervision may be appropriate. The frequency of review shall be proportionate to the level of risk present and with reference to skills, experience and relevant external training credentials.
- PL.3.1 – Where a contractor completes tasks/operations directly relevant to a specific Red Tractor standard, any relevant records shall be available for inspection during assessment unless the contractor is also an assured Red Tractor Fresh Produce member
- PL.4 – The GLAA defines specific circumstances which are excluded from the licensing requirements – refer to GLAA website for further information. This standard does not apply where workers are supplied outside of the scope of licensing requirements
- PL.5 – Definition of worker (taken from: https://www.gov.uk/employment-status/worker):
A person is generally classed as a ‘worker’ if:
– they have a contract or other arrangement to do work or services personally for a reward (your contract doesn’t have to be written)
– their reward is for money or a benefit in kind, for example the promise of a contract or future work
– they only have a limited right to send someone else to do the work (subcontract)
– they have to turn up for work even if they don’t want to
– their employer has to have work for them to do as long as the contract or arrangement lasts
– they aren’t doing the work as part of their own limited company in an arrangement where the ‘employer’ is actually a customer or client
HSE – how to write your Health & Safety Policy (including link to template):
https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/policy/how-to-write-your-policy.htm - PL.6 – Applies where accommodation is offered for a time limited period, typically to temporary or seasonal workers. It does not apply to accommodation provided as a primary residence – e.g. tied cottages or Assured Agricultural Occupancies
- PL.9 – It is recommended that the St John Ambulance first aid calculator is used to assess training requirements.
- PL.10 – High-risk workers include those who may be at greater risk for a time-limited or indefinite period. Examples include (but are not limited to): pregnant women, young or inexperienced workers and workers with specific medical conditions which may introduce an elevated risk – e.g. hearing loss. This may be considered within the text of a Health and Safety risk assessment but may also be documented elsewhere
- PL.12 – Refer to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (2002)
