Pack specialist items for removal

This standard covers the specialist skills and knowledge required to wrap, protect and pack specialist items for removal.

It applies to both household and business moves and includes domestic and international destinations.

Packing specialist items demands a higher level of care and expertise to ensure they are protected from movement, impact, theft and environmental factors such as moisture, humidity and temperature changes. Packing methods, materials and container types must therefore be selected carefully, and may differ depending on the item’s characteristics and destination, particularly for export moves.

The standard includes the correct use of specialist packing materials and techniques, the safe handling of delicate or high value items, the removal and separate packing of loose components, and compliance with organisational procedures, legal requirements and industry best practice.

This standard is relevant to all operatives who pack specialist items as part of their job role.

Packing of non specialist items is covered in SFLR2.

1.    maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in line with the relevant legislation and organisational requirements
2.    assess risks before starting and throughout the activity, taking action to minimise risks where possible and reporting them in line with organisational procedures
3.    confirm that the required personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn at all times, in line with organisational procedures
4.    confirm that the relevant training has been received to carry out the work, recognise the limits of your competence and seek access to further training where required
5.    maintain effective communication with colleagues and customers when carrying out the work
6.    confirm with customers the specialist items to be packed 
7.    confirm that the correct wrapping and packing materials and containers are selected for different specialist items, in line with organisational procedures and export packing requirements where relevant
8.    select wrapping and packing materials and containers that support sustainability and minimise environmental impact 
9.    protect specialist items in line with organisational procedures while they are being wrapped and packed
10.    remove loose components and pack separately to avoid damage or loss
11.    wrap specialist items using correct materials and techniques and minimising wastage, in line with organisational procedures and industry best practice
12.    place items into appropriate containers and fill any voids to prevent movement during transit 
13.    secure and seal containers, using tamper-evident tape or seals for extra security for high-value items
14.    check that all items are documented on the inventory with full item description and condition 
15.    check that containers are labelled with contents, destination and where required marked “fragile” in line with organisational procedures and industry best practice
16.    record and report damage and breakages that occur during packing in line with organisational procedures
17.    deal effectively with issues that arise within the scope and limitations of your responsibilities and competence and report issues which cannot be resolved, in line with organisational procedures
18.    maintain work areas in a clean and tidy condition throughout the activity
19.    complete and store required documentation and records in line with relevant legal requirements and organisational procedures

1.    your responsibilities under the relevant health and safety legislation and organisational requirements
2.    how to identify hazards and assess risks associated with the work being carried out, and the suitable control measures and Safe Systems of Work (SSoW) that can be put in place to reduce risks
3.    the relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) that should be worn when packing items for removal
4.    how to identify and access the information required to carry out the work
5.    the roles and responsibilities of colleagues and why it is important to maintain communication and work effectively with colleagues and customers when carrying out your work
6.    the types of wrapping and packing materials and containers available for different specialist items and how these are used
7.    the importance of considering environmental impact and sustainability when selecting wrapping and packing materials and how to minimise wastage
8.    export packing requirements for international moves
9.    how to select suitable wrapping materials and wrap different types of specialist items without damaging them
10.    how to select suitable containers for the specialist items being packed, the techniques for packing and how containers should be sealed
11.    the labelling system used by your organisation
12.    the organisational procedures for recording and reporting damage and breakages that occur during packing
13.    the issues that may occur when packing items for removal, the actions to take and the organisational procedures for reporting issues that cannot be resolved
14.    the relevant legal and organisational requirements and industry codes of practice for packing items for removal
15.    the information and recording systems used by the organisation and the legal and organisational requirements for maintaining records, including data protection legislation and organisational procedures for data security

Containers: corrugated cardboard boxes, crates, cases, specialist containers e.g. artwork bags, bespoke wooden crates

Export packing requirements: protection against damage (consider the amount of handling required by the transport mode being used), prevention of theft, protection against exposure to moisture, humidity and temperature changes (use of moisture-resistant materials e.g., plastic wrapping, desiccants), use of returnable export packaging, legislation; documentation 

Health and safety includes mental and physical wellbeing

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) could include: high-visibility clothing, hard hats, protective clothing, eye protection, masks, gloves, safety footwear

Safe System of Work (SSoW) is a method of work that puts in place control measures arising from a risk assessment, in order to manage identified hazards, which are broken down into four elements: safe person; safe equipment; safe place; and safe practice.

Specialist items include: clocks, barometers, pictures and artwork; antiques, artefacts, cultural heritage items, collections, chandeliers

Wrapping and packing materials: moving blankets, Furni-guard, bubble wrap, corrugated cardboard, packing paper, foam sheets, inserts and dividers, packing peanuts, bespoke packaging, plastic stretch wrap, packing tape, straps, nylon or metal bands etc