Loaders Job Description

A Loader loads and unloads chemicals and bulk solids, such as coal, sand, and grain into or from tank cars, trucks, or ships using material moving equipment. The Loader performs a variety of tasks relating to shipment of products.

Tasks performed by a Loader

• The Loader verifies tank car, barge, or truck load numbers to ensure car placement accuracy based on written or verbal instructions.
• The Loader observes positions of cars passing loading spouts, and swing spouts into the correct positions at the appropriate times.
• The Loader operates ship loading and unloading equipment, conveyors, hoists, and other specialized material handling equipment such as railroad tank car unloading equipment.
• The Loader monitors products movement to and from storage tanks, coordinating activities with other workers to ensure constant product flow.
• The Loader records operating data such as products and quantities pumped, gauge readings, and operating times, manually or using computers.
• The Loader checks conditions and weights of vessels to ensure cleanliness and compliance with loading procedures.
• The Loader operates industrial trucks, tractors, loaders and other equipment to transport materials to and from transportation vehicles and loading docks, and to store and retrieve materials in warehouses.
• The Loader connects ground cables to carry off static electricity when unloading tanker cars.
• The Loader seals outlet valves on tank cars, barges, and trucks.
• The Loader tests samples for specific gravity, using hydrometers, or send samples to laboratories for testing.

The Loader needs knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. The Loader needs knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. The Loader needs knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair and maintenance. The Loader needs knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. The Loader needs knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data property, and institutions. The Loader needs knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Loader Skills:

• The Loader needs the skill of operation and monitoring. This includes watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• The Loader needs the skill of operation and control. This includes controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• The Loader needs the skill of reading comprehension. This understands written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• The Loader needs the skill of judgment and decision making. This means considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• The Loader needs the skill of troubleshooting when it is needed. This means the ability to determine causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• The Loader needs the skill of active listening. This means giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• The Loader needs the skill of active learning. This means understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• The Loader needs the skill of learning strategies. This includes selecting and using training methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• The Loader must have the skill of time management. This includes managing their time as well as the time of the crew.
• The Loader needs the skill of coordination. This includes adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
• The Loader needs the ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
• The Loader needs the ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.