- context This profile summarizes the common issues and duties of those working in shipping and receiving. These activities are often done in a warehouse where a wide variety of health and safety concerns can be present because of the work that is done as well as the products stored in the warehouse. Because each workplace is unique, there is no way to predict all of the possible hazards you may encounter.
- context This summary focuses on the major duties of shippers and receivers.
// Occupations and Workplaces
Shipper and Receiver
What should I know before reading about this occupation? This profile summarizes the common issues and duties of those working in shipping and receiving.
- // Issues
- 29
- // Requirements
- 21
- // Page links
- 59
Shippers and receivers send, accept and record the movement of parts, supplies, materials, equipment and stock to and from an establishment. They are employed by retail and wholesale establishments, manufacturing companies, and other commercial or industrial establishments. Shippers and receivers perform some or all of the following duties:
- duty Determine the method of shipment and prepare bills, invoices and other shipping documents.
- duty Assemble containers and crates, pack goods to be shipped, and prepare identifying information and shipping instructions.
- duty Oversee loading and unloading of goods from trucks, etc.
- duty Inspect and verify incoming goods against invoices or other documents, record shortages and reject damaged goods.
- duty Unpack and route goods to appropriate storage areas.
- duty Maintain internal record-keeping systems.
- duty May operate a forklift, hand truck or other equipment to load, unload, transport, and store goods.
- duty Know safe storage and handling procedures for various products.
- duty Know proper shipping procedures for the transportation of dangerous goods, if needed.
Hazards typically fall into one of six general categories as listed below. For more information on that issue, prevention, or how to work safely with a hazardous product, click on the links where provided throughout this document.
Biological
- biological Depending on the products stored, biological hazards may or may not be present.
- biological There is the potential for infection caused if birds or rodents are present.. Infections include histoplasmosis (from bird droppings) or hantavirus (from mice droppings).
- biological There is a possibility of exposure to moulds, fungi and bacteria from areas and materials that have had contact with water (e.g., water leak that leads to mould in wood or drywall).
Chemical
Workers may be exposed to a variety of chemicals - some exposure will be as a result of the products stored in the warehouse, and other exposures will be from the activities done or equipment used. Examples include: Please note: In many cases, the risk of health effects from a product is related to the amount of time (duration) and to the amount of the substance (dose) that the individual is exposed to. For more information, please see the OSH Answers document What makes chemicals poisonous?. Also see the Chemical and Materials section in OSH Answers for storage and handling information on various "families" of chemicals and materials. Be sure to read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each hazardous product for more information. For general information on SDSs, please refer to our OSH Answers document WHMIS - Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Some hazardous products may have properties that can cause harm, such as being flammable. Be sure to read the instructions and labels carefully.
- chemical hazards related to the toxic products stored or used such as solvents, sealers and glue
- chemical plastic fumes from shrink wrap, bag sealers, and plastic strapping welders
- chemical use of battery-powered equipment
- chemical industrial lead-acid batteries contain battery acid can cause burns to skin and eyes, and the battery-recharging process produces hydrogen gas which can explode if allowed to build up and where an ignition source is present-)
- chemical lithium-ion batteries can overheat, leak, burst, or cause a fire or explosion when not used, stored, installed, disposed of, or charged properly
- chemical use of fuel for powered vehicles (propane, gasoline and diesel) which includes exposure to carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide or exhaust fumes (including diesel exhaust) from trucks at the loading and receiving docks, and fork lifts
Ergonomic
There are many situations where physical demands involve force, repetition, awkward postures and prolonged activities. These hazards include: Some organizations and individuals may inquire about using back belts. Generally speaking, they are not recommended. Please see the OSH Answers on this topic document for more information. A back injury prevention program is recommended instead. If working at a conveyor or belt, repetitive motions, reaching, and lifting may be a concern especially when movements are done quickly and for a long period of time. The following case studies are available as examples, and the information can be applied to a variety of situations:
- ergonomic standing for long periods of time
- ergonomic lifting
- ergonomic working in awkward positions (twisting, bending, etc.). See work-related musculoskeletal disorders for more information
- ergonomic repetitive manual operations (such as packing small parts quickly, etc.)
- ergonomic pushing and pulling objects in general
- ergonomic pushing and pulling hand carts
- ergonomic Bottle Recycling Department of a Brewery
- ergonomic Fish Processing
Physical
- physical Workers may be required to work outdoors or in warehouses with large receiving doors. As a result, they may be exposed to extreme temperatures (both cold and heat) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
- physical Where the temperature in the building cannot be controlled adequately, work may be done in hot environments (especially during summer months). Alternatively, workers assigned to work in cold or frozen storage areas may experience cold stress.
- physical Noise may also be a concern depending on the types of activities carried out.
Safety
Remember to work safely around equipment such as carts, hand trucks, trolleys, trucks, manual forklifts, conveyors, etc. Each will have its own safe work procedures and precautions. For example: Appropriate personal protective equipment for the job is essential. For example, eye protection is needed for the prevention of injury from flying particles, UV radiation, etc. Different gloves may be needed for different tasks (cutting boxes vs. handling chemicals). There are many situations where equipment and materials are in various places, or floors are slippery from liquids, etc. The main hazards from these situations are slips, trips, and falls. Equipment and materials overhead can also be a hazard (falling material, etc.). Work done at heights (e.g., on platforms/scaffolding or ladders) requires specific safety procedures. The tools used for the work can also present hazards, including:
- safety Conveyors and belts can have "pinch points" - places where your body, body parts, or objects can be entangled or crushed by the moving parts or spinning machinery. Guards must be in place on rollers, wheels, etc. Long hair, loose clothing, and jewellery should be contained.
- safety Where equipment such as cranes, hoists, slings, carts and others are used for material handling, be sure to use appropriate safety practices.
- safety Where forklift trucks are used, be sure to follow appropriate safety precautions for the vehicle itself, the operator, and for by-standers.
- safety hand tools (includes hand saws, hammers, screwdrivers, etc.)
- safety powered hand tools (includes pneumatic nailing guns, power-actuated tools, circular saws, etc.)
Psychological
- chemical Quick turn-arounds, "multi-tasking", or deadlines may lead to stress felt by individuals.
- psychosocial Some workers may be required to work shifts or extended work days which can have health effects.
According to the International Labour Office (ILO), health effects can include: Source: Lund, J. Warehousing. In Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety. 4th edition. Geneva: International Labour Office, 1998. Pages 102.61 to 102.67
- ergonomic risk of work-related musculoskeletal diseases (often related to overuse or lifting).
- chemical possibility of exposure to chemicals or materials stored or handled at the warehouse. These effects will vary greatly depending on the substance, and how it was stored or handled.
- administrative Use correct procedures for both manual materials handing (lifting), and materials handling (using cranes, hoists, etc.).
- requirement Be aware of awkward body positions and avoid where possible. If a job requires work in an awkward position (e.g., with hands above shoulder level) or repetition, be sure to take frequent breaks.
- ppe Always use the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) for the task.
- ppe Wear appropriate footwear (for walking and standing, as well as protection from dropped objects).
- requirement Keep all work areas clear of clutter and equipment.
- requirement Know how to handle and store chemicals and materials safely.
- requirement Always make sure that the tools and the safety features of tools and equipment are in good working order before using.
- requirement Follow a recommended shift work pattern, and be aware of the hazards associated with shift work.
Shippers and receivers will need to know: All workers should:
- administrative material handling procedures
- requirement manual material handling (lifting) techniques
- ppe proper selection, use, maintenance and storage of PPE, where appropriate
- ppe selection of footwear
- administrative proper procedures for working at heights (e.g., on platforms/scaffolding or ladders)
- requirement hand tools (includes hand saws, hammers, screwdrivers, etc.)
- requirement powered hand tools (includes pneumatic nailing guns, power-actuated tools, circular saws, etc.)
- requirement proper techniques to work safely with various types of equipment, including:
- requirement information about shiftwork
- requirement follow company safety rules
- requirement know about WHMIS and SDSs
- administrative know your hazard reporting procedures, and
- administrative follow good housekeeping procedures
// Hand tools
- 1 Clamps
- 2 Cutting Tools for Bolts, Cables, and Strapping
- 3 Gear Pullers
- 4 General Hand Tool Operation
- 5 Hammers
- 6 Hand Saw
- 7 Non-sparking tools
- 8 Pipe Tools - Wrenches, Cutters, Reamers, and Threaders
- 9 Pliers and Wire Cutters
- 10 Screwdrivers
- 11 Snips
- 12 Struck Tools
- 13 Vises
- 14 Wood Chisels
- 15 Wrenches
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Biological
Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.
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Chemicals
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Diseases, Disorders, Injuries
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Forklifts
Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.
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Garages
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Lifting, pushing, pulling
Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.
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Mould
Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.
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Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.
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Noise
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Shiftwork
Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.
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Sitting, standing, …
Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.
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Stress
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Temperature
Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.
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WHMIS/GHS/SDS
Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.
Shipper and Receiver
HAS_ISSUE 29
HAS_REQUIREMENT 21
LINKS_TO 59
SOURCE_PAGE 1
1 broken or blocked links · 8 links resolved to a newer URL.
Other CCOHS pages 1
- Inquiries Service related · Where can I get more information?
Fact sheets 37
- Conveyors and belts body · Safety
- Noise moved body · Physical
- SDSs body · What are some general safe work practices to know?
- WHMIS body · What are some general safe work practices to know?
- WHMIS - Safety Data Sheet (SDS) body · Chemical
- What makes chemicals poisonous? body · Chemical
- back injury prevention body · Ergonomic
- carbon dioxide body · Chemical
- carbon monoxide body · Chemical
- cold stress moved body · Physical
- diesel exhaust body · Chemical
- extended work days body · Psychological
- eye protection body · Safety
- footwear body · What are some general safe work practices to know?
- gasoline body · Chemical
- gloves body · Safety
- government department responsible for health and safety related · Where can I get more information?
- hand carts body · Ergonomic
- hantavirus body · Biological
- histoplasmosis body · Biological
- hot environments moved body · Physical
- housekeeping procedures moved body · What are some general safe work practices to know?
- industrial lead-acid batteries body · Chemical
- lifting body · Ergonomic
- lithium-ion batteries body · Chemical
- manual material handling body · What are some general safe work practices to know?
- manual operations moved body · Ergonomic
- more information body · Ergonomic
- moulds, fungi and bacteria moved body · Biological
- pushing and pulling body · Ergonomic
- reporting procedures body · What are some general safe work practices to know?
- shifts body · Psychological
- slips, trips, and falls body · Safety
- standing body · Ergonomic
- stress body · Psychological
- ultraviolet (UV) radiation body · Physical
- work-related musculoskeletal disorders body · Ergonomic
Occupations 2
- Bottle Recycling Department of a Brewery body · Ergonomic
- Fish Processing body · Ergonomic
PDFs 1
- Download PDF pdf · Download PDF
Section indexes 18
- Chemical and Materials body · Chemical
- PPE body · What are some general safe work practices to know?
- extreme temperatures moved body · Physical
- flammable moved body · Chemical
- forklift trucks body · Safety
- hand tools body · Safety
- hand tools body · What are some general safe work practices to know?
- ladders body · Safety
- ladders body · What are some general safe work practices to know?
- material handling body · Safety
- material handling procedures body · What are some general safe work practices to know?
- personal protective equipment body · Safety
- platforms/scaffolding body · Safety
- platforms/scaffolding body · What are some general safe work practices to know?
- powered hand tools body · Safety
- powered hand tools body · What are some general safe work practices to know?
- propane http_404 body · Chemical
- shiftwork body · What are some general safe work practices to know?