Summary for:

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand

Description:

Manually move freight, stock, or other materials or perform other unskilled general labor. Includes all unskilled manual laborers not elsewhere classified.

Sample of reported job titles:

Sample of reported job titles: Material Handler, Warehouse Worker, Laborer, Loader, Receiving Associate, Receiver, Shipping and Receiving Materials Handler, Merchandise Pickup / Receiving Associate, Line Tender, Stock Replenisher

Tasks | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Activites | Experience | Example | Education | Work Style | Work Values | Related Jobs | Wage | Employment | Expected Growth | Expected Need

Tasks:

  • Attach identifying tags to containers, or mark them with identifying information.
  • Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments and material and equipment needs.
  • Record numbers of units handled and moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets.
  • Move freight, stock, and other materials to and from storage and production areas, loading docks, delivery vehicles, ships, and containers, by hand or using trucks, tractors, and other equipment.
  • Sort cargo before loading and unloading.
  • Assemble product containers and crates, using hand tools and precut lumber.
  • Load and unload ship cargo, using winches and other hoisting devices.
  • Connect hoses and operate equipment to move liquid materials into and out of storage tanks on vessels.
  • Pack containers and re-pack damaged containers.
  • Carry needed tools and supplies from storage or trucks, and return them after use.

Knowledge:

English Language ó Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Public Safety and Security ó Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Skills:

Active Listening ó Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension ó Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Instructing ó Teaching others how to do something.
Coordination ó Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Learning Strategies ó Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Time Management ó Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Abilities:

Static Strength ó The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Trunk Strength ó The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Multilimb Coordination ó The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Near Vision ó The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension ó The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression ó The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Control Precision ó The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Manual Dexterity ó The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Written Comprehension ó The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Arm-Hand Steadiness ó The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Work Activities:

Performing General Physical Activities ó Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Getting Information ó Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material ó Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings ó Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment ó Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Handling and Moving Objects ó Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Processing Information ó Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Training and Teaching Others ó identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Interacting With Computers ó Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems ó Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Work Experience:

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.

Work Examples:

These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.

Education Requirements:

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Work Style:

Attention to Detail ó Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability ó Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity ó Job requires being honest and ethical.
Cooperation ó Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Self Control ó Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance ó Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Adaptability/Flexibility ó Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Initiative ó Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Achievement/Effort ó Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Social Orientation ó Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Work Values:

Relationships ó Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support ó Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Working Conditions ó Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Related Jobs:

37-3011.00 Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers In-Demand
47-3011.00 Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters In-Demand
53-7061.00 Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
53-7064.00 Packers and Packagers, Hand
53-7073.00 Wellhead Pumpers

Median Wage 2008:

$10.89 hourly, $22,660 annual

Estimated Employment Total 2008:

2,416,000 employees

Projected Growth 2008:

Little or no change (-2% to 2%)

Projected Need 2008:

823,000 additional employees