What Do Freight and Material Movers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Freight and Material Movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified. They also move 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.

Other tasks include:

• Sort cargo before loading and unloading.
• Stack cargo in locations, such as transit sheds or in holds of ships as directed, using pallets or cargo boards.
• Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information.
• Record numbers of units handled or moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets.
• Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs.
• Install protective devices, such as bracing, padding, or strapping, to prevent shifting or damage to items being transported.

We asked Freight and Material Movers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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49% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 37% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

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Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Freight and Material Movers maintain equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected. They read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs.

A typical day for a Hand Laborer and Freight, Stock and Material Mover will also include:

• Record numbers of units handled or moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets.
• Move 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.
• Carry out general yard duties, such as performing shunting on railway lines.
• Attach slings, hooks, or other devices to lift cargo and guide loads.
• Stack cargo in locations, such as transit sheds or in holds of ships as directed, using pallets or cargo boards.

We asked some Freight and Material Movers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	38% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	71% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	93% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	48% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	4% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	71% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Freight and Material Movers also direct spouts and position receptacles, such as bins, carts, or containers, so they can be loaded. They may also rig or dismantle props or equipment, such as frames, scaffolding, platforms, or backdrops, using hand tools.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Freight and Material Movers Pack containers and re-pack damaged containers. They might also Carry needed tools or supplies from storage or trucks and return them after use.

In addition, they Shovel material, such as gravel, ice, or spilled concrete, into containers or bins or onto conveyors.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Wash out cargo containers or storage areas.

To some Freight and Material Movers, it is also their responsibility to Connect electrical equipment to power sources so that it can be tested before use.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Hand Laborer and Freight, Stock and Material Mover, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/transportation-and-material-moving/hand-laborers-and-material-movers.htm

http://www.indtrk.org/