Packer - Heavy Goods

Also known as:

Heavy Goods Packer

Introduction

Heavy goods packers pack all types of large and heavy items. They may use lifting equipment to move goods like heavy engineering units. Some packers construct crates. Others may operate filling and sealing machines, to store liquids in barrels, for example.

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Work Activities

Packers of heavy goods pack items to protect them from damage during transportation. Depending on the product, a variety of packaging is used - such as boxes, crates, barrels, drums, cases and sacks.

Packers use all types of lifting equipment, including lift trucks and overhead cranes, to move heavy goods for packing and packed products.

In some companies, packers work with a wide variety of goods. Others may specialise in packing one type of product.

Some packers deal with heavy engineering pieces such as engines and gearbox units. They bolt the items onto steel frames inside wooden crates. They use hand tools such as hammers and screwdrivers to close the crates. Sometimes packers fix together crates from pre-cut pieces.

Crates that are to travel by air or sea may need to be prepared so that metal parts do not rust. Packers use compressors to extract moisture from the crates. They may operate staple guns and tape machines, and use knives to cut packaging material.

Items such as washing machines and freezers are packed in large sheets of polythene inside strong cardboard boxes with polystyrene pieces to protect the corners.

Large quantities of liquid, for example, oil, paints and chemicals, may be packed in metal drums; other products go into barrels. Powder, such as cement, may be packed in sacks or drums. In these industries, packers operate filling machines and use tools to seal the drums, barrels or sacks securely.

Packers may also have other duties such as labelling crates and checking goods for faults before packing them.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You need good hand skills for packing work and good co-ordination skills to control and perhaps drive lifting machines.

Attention to safety is particularly important when working with heavy goods. You will need to work carefully, to ensure that you and other workers are safe and that packages are secure and safe to transport.

As a packer of heavy goods you will need to be physically fit and active. Some jobs involve heavy lifting and carrying.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Heavy goods packers earn in the range of £210 - £230 a week, rising to £270 - £330 a week. Higher earners can make around £350 a week.

Packers usually work a 39-hour week, which may include shift work and work at weekends.

Employers throughout the UK are manufacturers in a wide range of industries.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Skills and abilities gained in practical or technical work using your hands are helpful for people wanting to become packers.

Experience in postal work, packaging and delivery can be useful. Good handwriting is important.

• 13% of people in occupations such as packer work part-time.
• 2% have flexible hours.
• 27% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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