Application of this unit

This competency applies to operators who receive, process despatch orders, despatch products/materials and maintain records. The key factors are correctly identifying and selecting the goods to be despatched and ensuring they are despatched to the correct location.

It includes:

checking order requests/consignment note documentation for products/materials to be despatched

identifying and selecting the correct products/materials

organising products/materials to be moved into the right place by the right time, using the appropriate handling equipment

preparing products/materials for despatch

completing and checking all documentation

updating records.

Prerequisites

This unit has no prerequisites.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Knowledge and understanding of the materials handling processes and requirements sufficient to recognise non-standard situations and then determine appropriate action which is consistent with operating guidelines is required.

Knowledge is required of the product/material, its properties and uses sufficient for correct receipt, storage and despatching. Knowledge of the relevant OHS and environmental requirements is required along with an ability to implement them in a manner which is relevant to the materials handled.

Competence includes the ability toapply and/or describe:

product/material knowledge

inventory and ordering systems

transport requirements and restrictions for products/materials

correct OHS procedures

storage/handling principles and procedures

material hazard properties and their implications for safe handling and storage

significance of material to customers; transport requirements and restrictions for materials

plan own work, including predicting consequences and identifying improvements

identify and describe own role and role of others involved directly in the processing of orders and despatching of products

use PPE, safely handle products and materials, read relevant safety information and apply safety precautions appropriate to the task

distinguish between causes of problems such as product requirements and job priority as relevant to the practical completion of the job.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements

This unit requires the ability to read and interpret typical product specifications, job sheets, procedures, material labels and safety information as provided to operators.

Writing is required to the level of completing workplace forms.

Basic numeracy is required, e.g. to determine that two 25 kg bags are needed to make up a requirement for 50 kg.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, required skills and knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Overview of assessment

A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.

Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the ability torecognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:

packaging standards are met consistently

procedures and work instructions are read and interpreted correctly

potential problems are recognisedand action is taken (ie, the problem is fixed or reported)

action is taken to ensure problems are dealt with in a timely manner

problems caused by product/material issues are recognised and an appropriate contribution made to a solution

items initiated are followed through until final resolution has occurred.

effective communication between team members, supervisors and other staff is maintained.

Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this competency unit.

Assessment method and context

Assessment will occur using industrial equipment and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.

Competence in this unit may be assessed:

by observation over time on a processing plant

by using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios

through a combination of these techniques.

In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.

Specific resources for assessment

This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.

Context

This competency covers the handling of a limited range of products/materials and their moving into and out of a plant/storage. It is NOT intended for people who, as a major function, operate a warehouse. The appropriate Transport and Distribution competencies should be used here.

This competency may require the operation of forklift trucks or other regulated load shifting devices which are NOT included in this competency, and so would be a co-requisite competency.

The terms order request, documentation, labels, transportation requirements 'paperwork' and 'records' mean any and all relevant information and data whether it is manual, paper based, electronic or verbal, either in person or by phone/radio.

This competency does not imply that moving materials into and from storage/plant are conducted equally, or even using similar techniques. Customers may be internal or external and the loading/unloading of products/materials may mean getting them onto/off a truck or simply from/to the next department.

Procedures

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

Tools and equipment

This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:

mobile plant/fork lifts

manual handling equipment

hand tools

shrink wrappers

tape machine labellers

loose bulk packing equipment.

computers, bar code readers

bag filling equipment

pallets

wrapping machines

personal protective equipment (PPE)

distribution equipment, including A-frames, stillages, containers, elevated platforms and communication equipment.

Hazards

Typical hazards include:

inappropriate movements and postures

physical and atmospheric hazards of materials

height or depth of storage receptacles

stationary and moving machinery, parts or components

noise, light, energy sources

humidity, air temperature, radiant heat

manual handling hazards.

Problems

'Respond to routine problems' means 'apply known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems'. Typical process and product problems may include:

special storage requirements including moisture and contamination control

handling of incomplete loads (either in or out)

handling of materials which do not meet specifications

conflicting priorities

incomplete or incorrect paperwork.

product requirements

job priority

product/material variations.

Variables

Key variables to be monitored include:

types of products or materials to be received/despatched

handling heights

types of equipment

types of workplace documentation

atmospheric conditions.

Not applicable.

This unit contains employability skills.

Not applicable.