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Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand

Also called Laborer, Loader, Material Handler, or Warehouse Worker

What Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand do

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.

Who tends to enjoy it

Hands-on

People who like building, fixing, working with tools, machines, plants, or animals.

Organizing

People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.

Leading

People who like persuading, selling, starting things, and taking charge.

What you'd actually do

  • Maintain equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected.
  • Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs.
  • 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.

A typical day involves

Using your hands Wearing safety gear Outdoors in all weather Around hazardous equipment Part of a team Face-to-face with people Standing

Skills that matter most

  • Coordination
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Monitoring
  • Operations Monitoring

What you'll need to know

  • Administration and Management
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Transportation
  • Production and Processing

Related careers

Transportation and Material Moving

Machine Feeders and Offbearers

Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.

Little to some preparation

Transportation and Material Moving

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.

Little to some preparation

Transportation and Material Moving

Packers and Packagers, Hand

Pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials.

Little to some preparation

Production

Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders

Operate or tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment. Includes cannery workers who pack food products.

Little to some preparation

Production

Helpers--Production Workers

Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

Little to some preparation

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Maintenance Workers, Machinery

Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.

Medium preparation

Production

Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber.

Little to some preparation

Office and Administrative Support

Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping

Weigh, measure, and check materials, supplies, and equipment for the purpose of keeping relevant records. Duties are primarily clerical by nature. Includes workers who collect and keep record of samples of products or materials.

Little to some preparation

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 53-7062.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.