Pick goods

This standard is about the accurate picking of goods ready for dispatch or to assemble orders. It includes identifying the goods to be picked, picking goods, including the use of picking equipment, and responding to problems.

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 pick goods as part of their job role.

1   maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in line with the relevant legislation and organisational requirements
2   assess the risks associated with the work before starting and throughout the activity, take action to minimise risks where possible or report in line with organisational procedures
3   confirm that the required personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work being carried out 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   obtain the information required for picking goods from storage 
6      locate the required goods in the relevant storage areas using the stock control systems in use in your organisation
7    apply the picking methods specified by the organisation for the type of goods and the size of the order
8   use the relevant picking equipment in line with organisational procedures
9    place picked goods into the relevant receptacles
10  position picked goods ready for packing, where required, and the assembling of orders for dispatch
11   maintain effective communication with colleagues when carrying out the work
12     identify and respond to problems with picking goods within the scope and limitations of your responsibilities and competence and report issues which cannot be resolved, in line with organisational procedures
13  maintain the work area in a clean and tidy condition throughout the activity
14  complete and store the 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 picking goods
4   the information required to pick goods from storage and how to obtain         it
5   the technology used within your area of work and how to use it
6      the stock control systems in use in your organisation
7    the nature and characteristics of the goods being picked in your organisation
8    the picking methods that can be used for different types of goods and storage systems 
9    the equipment used for picking goods and how to prepare, use, maintain and store this safely and correctly
10 the requirements for training and certification to operate picking equipment
11    the handling methods required for different types of goods
12    the roles and responsibilities of colleagues and why it is important to maintain communication and work effectively with colleagues when carrying out your work
13    the problems that may occur when picking goods, the actions to take and the organisational procedures for reporting issues that cannot be resolved
14    the importance of maintaining the work area in a clean and tidy condition when carrying out work activities and the organisational standards for this
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

Equipment: e.g. tools, implements, machinery, lifts, conveyors, cranes, ladders, shelving and racking systems

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

Problems with picking goods: identification, location, weight, size, quantity, accessibility, types of goods (e.g. hazardous), damages

Receptacles could include: containers, cages, pallets, boxes, crates, bags, bins, barrels, drums, tubes, sacks

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.

Stock control systems: manual, computerised, warehouse management systems, radio frequency

Storage could include:

• General ambient storage
• Fulfilment or E-commerce
• Restricted access – Bonded, Hazardous, Special licences, eg Pharmaceuticals, Veterinary drugs
• Segregated
• Quarantined
• Ventilated
• Temperature controlled
• Bulk storage for holding liquids, powders or grain
• External yard storage for larger, weather-resistant goods