Description of Job

Main Duties:

• determine the method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices and other shipping documents;
• assemble containers, pack goods to be shipped and attach identifying information and shipping instructions;
• oversee loading and unloading of goods from trucks or other transportation sources;
• inspect and verify incoming goods against invoices or other documents, record shortages and reject damaged goods;
• unpack and route goods to appropriate storage areas;
• maintain internal record-keeping systems;
• operate forklifts, hand trucks or other equipment to load, unload, transport and store goods.

Health and Safety Hazards

Chemical:

• potential exposure to materials stored in a warehouse (solvents, dyestuffs, sealers and glue);
• exposure to plastic fumes from shrinkwrap, bag sealers and plastic strapping welders;
• risk of breathing diesel, propane and gasoline exhaust including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides from forklifts and trucks at loading and receiving docks;
• risk of skin and eye burns from the use of battery-powered equipment and battery acid. The battery recharging process produces hydrogen gas which can explode if near an ignition source.

Ergonomic:

• back injury from repetitive shipping and packing;
• muscle and joint injury of hands, shoulders and waist;
• strains and sprains;
• eye strain and headaches from poorly designed lighting.

Physical:

• high noise levels from forklifts, conveyors, ventilation systems, pneumatic equipment, hand-held power tools;
• cold stress from prolonged work in cold or frozen storage areas;
• heat stress in areas without air-conditioning during summer.

Safety:

• risk of fires and explosions from the unsafe use of propane, gasoline and diesel powered vehicles;
• slips, trips and falls on poorly maintained, slippery or wet floors;
• slivers and puncture wounds from handling wooden pallets;
• cuts from using knives to cut apart boxes and cases.

  In the warehouse:

• being hit by falling objects, rolling carts on ramps;
• doors that open into aisles;
• structural supports in or immediately adjacent to aisles;
• unsafe use of ladders (incorrect set up; damaged ladder).

  In the terminal:

• slips, falls and cuts;
• risk of being caught between a truck and a loading dock, between two vehicles or caught by conveyors;
• being hit by falling objects, equipment or material-handling equipment (carts, hand trucks, manual forklifts, conveyors, trucks).

  In shipping and packing:

• limb injuries.

  Using power tools such as circular saws, jig saws and drills:

• eye injuries;
• injury to hands, wrists, back, shoulders and neck;
• burns and electrical shock from faulty power tools;
• cuts and amputations.