Work must be carried out in compliance with the regulations and workplace requirements pertaining to the processing of mail and parcels.

Work is normally performed under general supervision, usually in a team or outstation environment. It involves the application of workplace procedures and regulatory requirements to the manual sorting of mail and parcels as part of work activities in the postal and allied industries.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Prepare to sort mail and parcels manually

1.1 Individual and work team priorities and responsibilities are identified and confirmed

1.2 All OH&S and environment protection procedures and requirements for the workplace are identified, accessed and applied

1.3 The availability of mail and parcels to be processed is identified and confirmed

1.4 Mail and parcels to be processed are transferred to processing point

1.5 Labels for identifying the destination of mail are created and affixed to trays

2Sort mail and parcels manually

2.1 Internal operating procedures and standards are applied to the manual processing of parcels and mail

2.2 Mail and parcels are inspected to ensure that all criteria have been met

2.3 Mail and parcels are sorted accurately and correctly in compliance with priority for processing and manual sorting procedures

2.4 Mail and parcels are handled safely to minimise risk of injury to people and damage to mail and parcels

2.5 Mail and parcels that are damaged, underpaid, incorrectly classified, or are non-conforming items are identified, separated and re-processed in accordance with workplace procedures

2.6 Legal requirements and workplace policies and procedures in relation to the security of mail and parcels are followed

3Complete process for manually sorting mail and parcels

3.1 Mail and parcel sorting frames/bag racks are cleared down, and mail and parcel containers/bags are sealed and labelled in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2 Mail and parcels are transferred to next processing or distribution point using appropriate shifting equipment and labels scanned as required

3.3 Information required to complete records of mail and parcels processed is provided and recorded

3.4 Excess equipment is removed and work area is prepared for next activity/shift

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

Australian and international codes and regulations relevant to mail operations

Relevant OH&S and environmental protection procedures and guidelines

Workplace procedures and policies for the manual sorting of mail and parcels

Focus of operation of work systems, equipment, management and site operating systems for the manual sorting of mail and parcels

Problems that may occur when manually sorting mail and parcels and appropriate action that can be taken to resolve/avoid the problems

Requirements of mail sorting systems, operations and relevant equipment

Hazards that may occur during the manual sorting of mail and parcels and ways of controlling the risks involved

Site layout

Relevant personal protective equipment and procedures for its use

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when manually sorting mail and parcels

Read and interpret instructions, procedures and labels relevant to the manual sorting of mail and parcels

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation related to the manual sorting of mail and parcels

Work collaboratively with others when manually sorting mail and parcels

Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may arise during the manual sorting of mail and parcels in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unplanned events that may arise during the manual sorting of mail and parcels

Plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements

Apply security and safety precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

Operate and adapt to differences in equipment and systems in accordance with standard operating procedures

Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

Identify, select and use relevant equipment, processes and procedures when manually sorting mail and parcels

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

the underpinning knowledge and skills

relevant legislation and workplace procedures

other relevant aspects of the range statement

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts

Resources for assessment include:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or

access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation

As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests

Practical assessment must occur:

through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or

in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Work may be conducted:

in a range of work environments

by day or night

Workplaces may comprise:

large, medium or small worksites

Operations may include:

shiftwork

Customers may be:

internal or external

Hazards may include:

vehicular traffic and pedestrians

dust and vapours

hazardous or dangerous materials

humidity, air temperature

lighting conditions

machinery/equipment moving parts

noise

Weighing devices may be:

mechanical

automated

weighbridge

Work priorities may be communicated through:

briefings

noticeboards

announcements

Equipment may include:

mail trays, tubs and bags

sorting frame/bag rack

scanners

tipping belt

knife

pallet jack/maverick

powered lifters

king fishers

scales

carousel

Unit Load Device (ULD) and Wheeled Unit Load Device (WULD)

Vertical Sorting Frame (VSF) and Vertical Sorting Division (VSD)

ULD tipper

conveyor belts

strapping machine

Personal protective equipment may include:

gloves

safety headwear and footwear

safety glasses

two-way radios

protective clothing

high visibility clothing

Communication in the work area may include:

phone

fax

email

electronic data transfer (EDI)

RF systems

radio

oral, aural or signed communications

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Information/documents may include:

workplace policies, operating procedures and practices

Management Operating System (MOS)

Management Information System (MIS)

sorting system information which may include:

postcode book, national sort plan and state sort plan

post guide

international postcode directory

labels chart

mail identification numbers, codes and labels

manifests, consignment notes, bar codes, mail and container identification

quality assurance procedures

induction documentation

competency standards and training materials

job specifications and procedures

award, enterprise bargaining agreement or other industrial arrangements

manufacturers specifications

codes of practice, including national standards for manual handling and the industry safety code

supplier and or/client instructions

HAZCHEM chart/material safety data sheets

safety observation feedback program

emergency procedures

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

relevant codes and regulations pertaining to mail operations

Australian and international regulations and codes of practice for the handling and transport of dangerous goods and hazardous substances

relevant state/territory OH&S and environmental protection legislation

workplace relations regulations

workers compensation regulations

equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity and affirmative action legislation

This unit contains employability skills.