Freight Handlers

Career summary

Freight handlers may also be called longshoremen, stevedores, dock workers, warehouse workers, or material handlers.

#match with 7112, check 2/23/15 lh

Freight handlers load, unload, and stack a wide variety of materials. Some load and unload cargo from shipping vehicles. Others load products in storage and take them to loading docks.

Freight handlers know how to move each type of item safely and quickly. To move small or light items they use dollies, hand trucks, and wheelbarrows. Freight handlers use hoists and cranes to move larger, heavier items.

When using hoists and cranes, freight handlers attach slings to steady loads while they are being moved. They guide the loads to pallets, trucks, ships, or shelves in warehouses. They position containers to receive items. Freight handlers brace loads to prevent shifting during transport. They secure loads by installing braces, pads, and straps.

Related careers

This career is part of the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Construction Helpers
• Forklift Operators
• Light Truck Drivers
• Material Moving Machine Operators
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operators
• Packers and Packagers
• Pipelayers
• Production Helpers
• Riggers
• Roustabouts
• Shipping and Receiving Clerks
• Structural Metal Workers
• Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
• Trash Collectors

Military careers

• Cargo Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to freight handlers.

• Mark containers and attach identification tags to them.
• Read work orders or listen to instructions to get work assignments.
• Use daily production sheets, work tickets, or hand-held computers to keep records.
• Assemble containers and crates.
• Move materials using dollies, handtrucks, wheelbarrows, hoists, and cranes.
• Sort cargo before loading and unloading.
• Attach slings and guide loads moved by hoists or cranes.
• Stack, pile, load, and unload materials onto racks, shelves, or into trucks or holds of ships.
• Install braces, pads, and straps to hold loads securely.
• Operate banding machines to band materials together.
• Adjust rollers, belts, plugs, and caps. Replace them when necessary.
• Position bins, carts, and containers to receive loads. Direct spouts to move materials such as grains or fuels.
• Shovel gravel, ice, or spilled concrete into containers, bins, or conveyors.
• Clean work areas using brooms, rags, and cleaning compounds.

Common work activities

Freight handlers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Handle and move objects
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Control machines and processes
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Evaluate information against standards
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Get information needed to do the job
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, freight handlers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of social interaction with others.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of others.
• May occasionally deal with conflict situations in which others may become rude or angry.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by others.
• Communicate mostly by face-to-face discussions.
• Usually work as part of a team of handlers.

Physical work conditions

• Usually work outdoors. Sometimes work indoors, although these sites may not have heating or air conditioning.
• Regularly wear protective or safety clothing, such as hard hats, heavy boots, and gloves.
• Occasionally are exposed to very hot or cold weather when working outside.
• Occasionally are exposed to hazardous equipment and situations, if a stevedore.
• May work near contaminants.
• May work within a few feet of others.

Work performance

• Must be sure all the details and tasks of their work are done correctly. Errors can endanger the safety of workers or cause financial loss to customers.
• Repeat the same physical activities.
• Usually seek direction from supervisors before setting daily tasks and goals.
• Must meet strict daily deadlines.

Hours/travel

• May work part time or full time. Those who work full time may work long hours to meet shipping deadlines.
• May work evening, weekend, or night shifts. Schedules are usually established.

Physical demands

Freight handlers frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.

It is important for freight handlers to be able to:

• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Understand the speech of another person.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for freight handlers to be able to:

• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.

Skills and abilities

Freight handlers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Heavy Equipment Operations

Training

To work as a freight handler, you typically need to:

• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this job. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

On-the-job training

Most freight handlers learn their skills on the job by beginning as helpers. Those who use dangerous equipment or work with hazardous materials receive additional training. In general, training lasts up to one month.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be cargo specialists. Training lasts two to six weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Driver Education
• Physical Education

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers often require that workers be 18 years of age or older. They may also require applicants to pass background checks, physical exams, and drug tests. Most jobs require reading and basic math skills. Employers look for people who are reliable and hard-working.

Most stevedores are hired through labor unions. Most union contractors and labor unions require some training before an apprentice begins work. For more information, contact:

International Longshore and Warehouse Union
http://www.ilwu.org/ 

International Longshoremen's Association
http://www.ilaunion.org/ 

Some workers may be required to get a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card. This is a biometric credential that only allows authorized workers to enter secured areas of ports or shipping vessels unescorted.

#Added info on TWIC 5/23/10, cj. Website on TWIC: http://www.tsa.gov/stakeholders/transportation-worker-identification-credential-twic%C2%AE 

Tips

Being willing to work flexible hours may improve your chances of being hired.

Costs to workers

Some workers may join a union and pay an initiation fee and dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Wages vary by the area of the country and the type of freight moved. Freight handlers often receive extra pay for working with difficult or dangerous cargo. In addition, freight handlers who belong to a union often receive higher wages than non-union workers.

Freight handlers who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Some employers also provide a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The Washington State outlook depends on expansion of shipping activity, environmental regulations, and the rate of technological change. Job growth may also be affected by competition from ports in other states and in Canada which can handle greater volume and larger container ships.

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Freight handlers work in nearly every industry.

Major employers:

• Temporary worker agencies
• Warehousing and storage companies
• Courier companies
• Grocery product wholesalers
• Trucking companies

National outlook

An increase in automation will limit the growth of this occupation. With automated handling systems, fewer people are needed for manual loading and unloading. However, job openings will be plentiful because the occupation is very large and turnover is fairly high.

Employment of freight handlers is sensitive to the state of the economy. When the economy is strong, the amount of freight needing to be moved grows.

Other resources

International Longshore and Warehouse Union 
1188 Franklin Street, 4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94109
415.775.0533

References

Career cluster

• Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand (53-7062.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

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Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Conventional/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled