About This Career

Manually moves freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or performs other general labor.

This career is part of the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics cluster Transportation Operations pathway.

A person in this career:

• Moves freight, stock, or other materials to and from storage or production areas, loading docks, delivery vehicles, ships, or containers, by hand or using trucks, tractors, or other equipment.
• Sorts cargo before loading and unloading.
• Attaches identifying tags to containers or marks them with identifying information.
• Reads work orders or receives oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs.
• Stacks cargo in locations, such as transit sheds or in holds of ships as directed, using pallets or cargo boards.
• Records numbers of units handled or moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets.
• Installs protective devices, such as bracing, padding, or strapping, to prevent shifting or damage to items being transported.
• Directs spouts and positions receptacles, such as bins, carts, or containers, so they can be loaded.
• Attaches slings, hooks, or other devices to lift cargo and guide loads.
• Maintains equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 50 lbs., sometimes up to 100 lbs. You will need a lot of strength at this level.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Conditions are very hot (above 90 F) or very cold (under 32 F)
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Using muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring
• Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching
• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Seeing clearly up close
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person
• Exerting oneself physically over long periods of time without getting out of breath
• Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects
• Using abdominal and lower back muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring

Work Hours and Travel

• Rotating shift work