Michigan Occupational Information System
 #134 - FREIGHT & MATERIAL HANDLER

Freight and Material Handlers perform various tasks involved in loading, unloading, and moving freight, and all types of materials. They may load, unload, and move items by hand or use equipment such as conveyors, hoists, hand and power trucks, and wheelbarrows.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Freight and Material Handlers may:

Read work orders or follow supervisors' directions

Load and unload trucks, railroad cars, pallets, racks and conveyors

Install straps, braces, and pad to prevent shifting or damage during shipment

Store and stack materials for future use

Open containers with steel cutters, crowbars, or other hand tools

Count or weigh the materials and record the information

Record information on the number of items shipped or the amount of material moved

Assemble crates used to transport items such as machines or vehicles

Help to make adjustments or repairs

Move materials from storage to particular areas or between workers or departments

Shovel loose materials into machine hoppers or into vehicles and containers

Tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Freight & Material Handlers may specialize in these areas:

929.687-030 MATERIAL HANDLERS load, unload, and move materials in and around factories, warehouses, storage yards, and other places where materials are stored and used.

905.687-014 FURNITURE MOVERS move furniture, pianos, appliances, and other household goods to and from homes and apartments. They carry or use equipment to move articles to trucks where the articles are arranged to form a compact load and secured with rope or straps. Padding is used to prevent damage. After the articles have been transported, Furniture Movers carry the articles into the homes or apartments.

905.687-010 TRUCK-DRIVER HELPERS assist truck drivers in transporting and handling materials, merchandise, or equipment. They load and unload trucks by hand or use hand trucks and dollies. They may use padding and ropes or straps to protect articles and hold them during shipment. They unload merchandise at customers' homes or businesses and may collect payment or obtain a receipt for the goods.

929.687-030 LUMBER-YARD WORKERS perform various tasks in lumber yards such as loading and unloading trucks, stacking lumber, and loading dollies and pallets.

914.667-010 TANK-CAR LOADERS fill and drain tank cars which contain liquid chemicals, liquid petroleum products, and other liquids.

921.662-018 CONVEYOR OPERATORS control conveyor systems or conveyors that move materials by belt, auger, or bucket, to load or unload vehicles, railcars, and ships.

921.682-014 PALLETIZER OPERATORS operate a console that controls automatic palletizing equipment that sorts, transfers, and stacks packaged products, such as sugar, canned vegetables, citrus juice, and cigarettes, on pallets.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Freight and Material Handlers generally work under direct supervision. They may work alone or with other workers.

Working conditions vary greatly, work may be performed indoors or outdoors. Depending on the type of employer and the materials worked with, Freight and Material Handlers may be exposed to dust, oil, chemicals, noise, or vibrations. Some may work around furnaces, where temperatures are high, or in refrigerated storage areas. Hazards include cuts or bruises from crowbars, hammers, and other hand tools and injuries from falling objects.

Some individuals, such as lumber yard workers, may work fewer hours in the winter than in summer.

Freight and Material Handlers generally work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Shift work may be necessary for individuals working in businesses that operate more than 8 hours a day. Occasional overtime may be required during busy periods.

Many Freight and Material Handlers belong to unions. The particular union depends on the industry or the type of employer. Some unions which represent Freight and Material Handlers are: International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers of America (Teamsters), and Brotherhood of Railway, Airline and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express and Station Employees (BRAC).

You Should Prefer:

• Activities involving the use of machines, processes, or methods

• Activities of a routine, organized nature

• Activities dealing with things and objects

You Should Be Able To:

• Repeat activities according to routine procedure or sequence

• Compare/see differences in size/shape/form of objects/figures

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Rate information by standards that can be checked or measured

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

You are loading 50 boxes onto a truck (each box weighs 26 lbs). It has been specified that the truck cannot carry a load over 1235 lbs., how many of the boxes can be loaded?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Should be able to read and comprehend loading terminology and procedures, such as auger, automatic palletizing equipment, dollies, and pallets.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a time sheet including overtime calculations.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate analytical skills and be detail oriented in assessing spacing and loading freight.

Some Freight and Material Handlers must have driver's or chauffeur's licenses and a commercial drivers license (CDL). They are available at Michigan Secretary of State offices.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupation in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 2200 MATH

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military website at http://www.myfuture.com

SUPPLY AND WAREHOUSING SPECIALISTS

The military maintains a large inventory of food, medicines, ammunition, spare parts, and other supplies. Keeping the military's supply system operating smoothly is an important job. The lives of combat troopers in the field may depend on receiving the right supplies on time. Supply and warehousing specialists receive, store, record, and issue military supplies.

What They Do

Supply and warehousing specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Perform inventory and financial management procedures, including ordering, receiving, and storing supplies

• Locate and catalog stock

• Give special handling to medicine, ammunition, and other delicate supplies

• Select the correct stock for issue

• Load, unload, and move stock using equipment such as forklifts and hand trucks

• Keep records on incoming and outgoing stock

Training Provided

Job training consists of 4 to 6 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in handling and storing stock. Course content typically includes:

• Stock control and accounting procedures

• Procedures for shipping, receiving, storing, and issuing stock

• Procedures for handling medical and food supplies

• Movement, storage, and maintenance of ammunition

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Work Environment

Supply and warehousing specialists work in large general supply centers, small specialized supply rooms, or ship storerooms.

Physical Demands

Supply and warehousing specialists may have to lift and carry heavy boxes of ammunition and other supplies. Normal color vision is required for specialties that handle color-coded parts, supplies, and ammunition.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include math, bookkeeping, accounting, business administration, and typing. Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to keep accurate records

• Preference for physical work

• Interest in operating forklifts and other warehouse equipment

• Preference for work requiring attention to detail

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian supply and warehousing specialists work for factories, parts departments in repair shops, department stores, and government warehouses and stockrooms. They perform duties similar to military supply and warehousing specialists. Civilian supply and warehousing specialists may also be called stock control clerks, parts clerks, or storekeepers.

Opportunities

The services have about 65,430 supply and warehousing specialists. On average, they need about 5,500 new specialists each year. After job training, specialists stock shelves, learn about different parts and supplies, and fill supply requests. In time, they also estimate needs, order stock, and supervise others. Eventually, they may become superintendents of supply centers.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Summer and part-time work may be available with manufacturers or retail businesses such as lumber yards and moving companies. Jobs helping truck drivers and sales route drivers may also be available. Related military training may offer experience also.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Freight & Material Handler employer

internships

volunteer work with a Freight & Material Handler employer

community service work with an agency

The most common method of finding jobs is through direct application to employers. Assistance may be available from local offices of Michigan Works!, local unions, and other workers. Newspaper want ads often list openings. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Michigan Talent Bank 

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

Michigan Works!

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Freight and Material Handlers vary greatly. Factors affecting earnings include the type of materials handled, the amount of equipment operation necessary, extent of unionization, and the size and type of employer.

Nationally, median weekly earnings of Freight and Material Handlers was $388 or $9.70 per hour in 1998.

In 1998, hourly earnings of Freight and Material Handlers in Michigan were:

Most Material Handlers employed in the auto industry earned $13.83 to $19.94 per hour in early 1999. These workers also received a cost-of-living allowance.

Depending on the employer, benefits may include paid vacations and holidays, health and life insurance, sick leave, uniforms, and retirement plans. They may also receive discounts on purchases and reduced air-fare travel.

Freight and Material Handlers usually learn their jobs through on-the-job training as a helper. Initial advancement for Freight and Material Handlers usually consists of moving to jobs which require more skill and/or the operation of various types of loading and material handling equipment. Some eventually advance to supervisory positions. Experience, job performance, and supervisory ability are important factors in advancement.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

In 1996, about 807,700 Freight and Material Handlers were employed nationally. The employment of Freight and Material Handlers is expected to increase more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2006. Increased automation of material handling procedures will cause employment to decline. Some job openings are expected each year as Freight and Material Handlers retire, die, or transfer to other lines of work. About 2.1% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Freight and Material Handlers looked like this:

There are about 19,525 Freight and Material Handlers employed in Michigan. They worked for many types of companies, including manufacturing firms, wholesale and retail businesses, trucking and freight companies, and warehousing companies.

The employment of Freight and Material Handlers in Michigan is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 820 openings is expected, with 50 due to growth and 770 due to replacement of workers who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers transfer to other jobs or occupations.

Improved freight and material handling equipment makes it possible for one person to do more work than in the past, decreasing opportunities for unskilled workers. Economic conditions also affect opportunities for Freight and Material Handlers. Many work in manufacturing firms where hiring may increase during good economic times and layoffs may occur during poor economic times.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Freight and Material Handler can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development