Hand packer

Hand packers collect, pack and label goods and materials by hand. They ensure that all goods and materials are packed according to instructions and requirements.

Hand packers typically do the following:

• Counts, measures, and weighs materials and products.
• Removes defective products or materials, placing them in specified areas for handling.
• Constructs, lines, and pads cartons, crates, and containers using hand tools.
• Examines containers, products, and materials for quality control and ensures packing requirements are met.
• Seals containers or materials using hand tools, fasteners, nails, or glue.
• Marks and labels containers, container tags, labels, or products.
• Enters packing, order, and product information in or on required forms, records, or other documents.
• Stacks boxes on pallets.
• Loads products and materials into package-processing equipment.
• Transports packages to customers vehicles, loading areas, or other specified zones.

Hand packers lift and carry heavy objects, and their work is usually repetitive and physically demanding. They bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl in awkward positions..

Hand packers have a high rate of injuries and illnesses. Moving heavy objects around warehouses or onto trucks, or bending while cleaning a vehicle, may lead to sprains, strains, or overexertion.

Most hand packers work full time.

Shifts longer than 8 hours are common, and sometimes overtime is available. Because materials are shipped around the clock, some workers, especially those in warehousing, work overnight shifts.

The following job titles also refer to hand packer:

order filler and packer
e-commerce packer
e-commerce packer and shipper
manual packaging operative
night packer
packer and warehouse operative
picker and packer
e-commerce picker and packer
e-commerce order filler and packer

No formal educational credential is required to work as hand packer. Employers typically require only that applicants be physically able to perform the work.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Hand packer is a Skill level 1 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to hand packer.

warehouse order picker
aircraft groomer
materials handler
factory hand
leaflet distributor

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of hand packer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of hand packer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

soap chipper
kettle tender
footwear factory warehouse operator
leather goods packing operator
aircraft fuel system operator

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of hand packer.

• Types of packaging materials: Properties of materials that make them suitable for packaging. Conversion of raw materials into packaging materials. Different types of labels and materials used which comply with the correct storage criteria depending on the goods.
• Packaging processes: Packaging design and development. Decorating and printing processes executed in packaging. Packaging machinery and line operations.

These skills are necessary for the role of hand packer.

• Use packaging equipment: Use fastening and packaging tools such as plastic strapping, applicators and adhesives, marking and labeling equipment, and tape.
• Follow written instructions: Follow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.
• Pack goods: Pack different kinds of goods such as finished manufactured products or goods in use. Pack goods by hand in boxes, bags and other types of containers.
• Ensure correct goods labelling: Ensure that goods are labeled with all necessary labeling information (e.g. legal, technological, hazardous and others) regarding the product. Ensure that labels respects the legal requirements and adhere to regulations.
• Lift heavy weights: Lift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.
• Secure goods according to work orders: Fasten bands around stacks or articles prior to shipment or storage.
• Comply with checklists: Follow checklists and ensure compliance with all the items included in them.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of hand packer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Weigh shipments: Weigh shipments and calculate the maximum weights and dimensions, per package or per item, for each consignment.
• Perform packing of footwear and leather goods: Perform packing and expedition of footwear and leather goods. Perform a final inspection, pack, label, store the orders in the warehouse.
• Operate voice picking systems: Operate voice pick systems applying various picking methods; work using verbal instructions and prompts via headphones and a microphone.
• Pack leather: Enclose or protect products for distribution and storage. Packaging refers to a coordinated system of preparing goods for transport, warehousing, logistics, sale, and use. Leather packaging requires specific skills.
• Pack timber products: Ensure that the timber and the timber goods are wrapped or packed conforming to the provide specifications and the schedule agreed upon. Make sure the goods are not damaged during the packing or wrapping process.
• Pack electronic equipment: Safely pack sensitive electronic equipment for storage and transport.
• Pack vegetables or fruits: Sort and pack vegetables or fruits considering specific methods for the different products.
• Pack soap: Pack finished soap products such as soap flakes or soap bars into boxes
• Pack fragile items for transportation: Pack fragile items such as glass panes or glass objects using the appropriate boxes and cushioning materials such as air-encapsulated plastic or customised foam enclosures to make sure the content will not move during transportation.
• Maintain stock control systems: Keep stock control systems up to date and ensure inventory accuracy.
• Identify damaged goods before shipment: Identify damaged goods before packaging and shipping following established procedures.
• Pack stone products: Use lifting equipment to lower the heavy pieces into boxes and guide them by hand to make sure they take the right place. Wrap the pieces in a protective material. When all the pieces are in the box, secure them with separating material such as cardboard to prevent them from moving and from sliding against each other during transportation.

9321 – Hand packers

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References

1. ESCO
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Hand Packer – SHRM
4. Featured image: Photo by Tiger Lily from Pexels