Assemble and dispatch customers’ storage items

This standard outlines the skills and knowledge required to assemble and dispatch customers’ items from storage.

It involves dealing with customers’ requests, locating stored items, preparing them for transport and organising delivery. It also includes resolving any problems and maintaining customer contact.

When working with equipment and machinery you must be appropriately trained and hold current certification, where required, in line with relevant legislation.

This standard is relevant to all operatives who assemble and dispatch customers’ storage items as part of their job role.

P1   maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in line with the relevant legislation and organisational requirements
P2   assess risks before starting and throughout the activity, taking action to minimise risks and reporting them in line with organisational procedures

P3   confirm that the required personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn at all times in line with organisational procedures
P4   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
P5   comply with the policies and procedures of the organisation and the relevant legal and organisational requirements relating to the dispatch of customers’ storage items
P6   obtain relevant information on customer requirements for their storage items
P7   locate customers’ storage items and assess requirements for delivery, including loading and transportation and any special requirements in line with organisational procedures
P8   organise transportation and provide customers with delivery information regarding their storage items in line with organisational procedures
P9   maintain effective communication with colleagues and customers when carrying out the work
P10  assemble and load customers’ storage items for delivery using relevant handling techniques and equipment 
P12  deal effectively with issues that arise within the scope and limitations of your responsibilities and competence and keep customers informed
P13  report issues which cannot be resolved, in line with organisational procedures
P14  maintain work areas in a clean and tidy condition throughout the activity
P15  complete and store required documentation and records in line with relevant legal requirements and organisational procedures

K1   your responsibilities under the relevant health and safety legislation and organisational requirements
K2   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
K3   the relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) that should be worn when assembling and dispatching customers’ storage items
K4   the requirements for training and certification to operate moving and handling equipment
K5   how to identify and access the information required to carry out the work
K6    the range of customers the organisation deals with and the types of goods stored
K7    the organisation policies and procedures and the relevant legal and organisational requirements relating to the dispatch of customers’ storage items
K8    the loading, transportation and any special requirements for the storage items being dispatched
K9    the roles and responsibilities of colleagues and why it is important to maintain communication and work effectively with colleagues when carrying out your work
K10    how to identify locations of storage items and confirm that they are accessible 
K11    the handling techniques and equipment required to assemble and load the storage items 
K12    the types of issues that may occur when assembling and dispatching customers’ storage items, the actions to take and the importance of keeping customers informed 
K13      the importance of maintaining work areas in a clean and tidy condition when carrying out work activities and the organisational standards for this
K14        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

Customer requirements: delivery time, address, name, contact number, storage items required

Delivery information: delivery time, progress

Health and safety includes mental and physical wellbeing

Legal, regulatory and environmental requirements: could include: safety regulations, codes of practice, load restrictions, working-time regulations, transport regulations, drivers' hours, licences/permits, insurances, Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) requirements, Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) requirements, Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme (FORS), alcohol and drug restrictions, organisational requirements

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.

Storage items could include: furniture, personal items, business paperwork, office equipment, household items