Transport and logistics
Port operative - Cargo operative
Carrying out a range of tasks involving handling cargo, passengers or marine craft.
Summary
This occupation can be found in a variety of ports, harbours, and marinas. From a major international trade gateway, Naval base supporting the Royal Navy, to a single jetty jutting out into a river or sea. A port is typically a location on the coast where goods are loaded and unloaded, however they can be found inland such as the Manchester ship canal and Port of Boston in Lincolnshire. Ports serve many purposes, including recreation, commercial trade, the energy sector and defence. The port industry is diverse, supporting a wide range of activities vital to many sectors of the UK economy. Ports are critical transportation networks that facilitate both international and domestic trade.
The UK has the largest port sector in Europe, with 120 commercial ports. Port operatives may be employed by large port authorities, such as the Port of Felixstowe. Which handles roughly 48% of all containerised trade within the UK, to other porting authorities such as the Port of Boston or enlisting as a port operative in the British Army.
Port operatives have key roles in enabling businesses to deliver on time and safely. Cargo can include any goods imported or exported from the UK, such as cars, food, manufactured goods, and raw materials. The work they do varies depending on the type of ship or cargo. Operatives in larger ports tend to specialise, but smaller ports often require them to perform a wide range of duties.
Port operatives are engaged to ensure that freight is moved efficiently from a docked ship, directly to a road vehicle or train for onward transportation, or to a warehouse or holding area for temporary storage. Port operatives may be required to operate large items of mobile and fixed lifting equipment and other vehicles, such as forklift trucks and mobile cranes.
A port operative may be required to work on board any type or size of moored or anchored vessel in a port.
Port operatives can also work in passenger operations, ensuring that customers of ferry services or cruise liners travel through the port safely and efficiently. While maintaining excellent customer service. Passenger facilities at ports can be similar to those found at airports, with catering and other recreational services for passengers waiting to join the ship.
Working hours may include unsocial hours, and working outdoors in inclement weather is probable. There may be some on-call requirements as well as shift and weekend work. The working environment is likely to be physically demanding. Entry restrictions may apply to applicants.
Typical job titles include
- Cargo operative | Container operative | Ferry operative | Passenger operative | Port operative | Port plant operator | Port warehousing operative | Roll-on roll-off operative | Stevedore
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Regulations and legislation that impact the port sector.
K2:
Health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance and impact on role and its safe operation. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
K3:
Hazards and risks that occur in the workplace.
K4:
Methods to promote safe working including, risk assessments, method statements, control measures and safe systems of work.
K5:
Importance of compliance with regulations and legislation.
K6:
Associated regulations and legislation relating to control of substances hazardous to health. (COSHH) and the international maritime dangerous goods (IMDG) code.
K7:
Policies, procedures and working practices.
K8:
Port security and the security levels that are associated with the port industry.
K9:
Information sources: text, data, job card, work instructions, risk assessments, method statements, operation manuals, and permits to work.
K10:
Principles and considerations for responding to incidents and emergencies.
K11:
Principles of using equipment and machinery.
K12:
Principles and methods of safe movement of traffic, goods, and pedestrians around the port.
K13:
The principles and techniques of pre-operational checks.
K14:
Environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance.
K15:
Impact of the sector on the environment and efficient use of resources.
K16:
Port waste management techniques including recycling, reuse, and safe disposal of waste.
K17:
Factors that delay the completion of planned work for example the impact of the weather, tides, and road traffic.
K18:
Limits of authority and escalation procedures.
K19:
Principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
K20:
Information systems used to support port operations. General data protection regulation (GDPR). Cyber security.
K21:
Written communication techniques.
K22:
Verbal communication techniques.
K23:
Documentation: methods and requirements – electronic and paper.
K24:
Principles of team working and wellbeing.
K25:
Techniques of identifying and handling cargo.
K26:
Toolbox talks.
K27:
Classifications of cargo including dangerous goods, liquid bulk, dry bulk, break bulk, roll on; roll off, (roro), and containers.
K28:
Principles and techniques for loading, unloading, and storing of products including transport weight limits and loading distribution principles.
K29:
Loading, lift or stow plans.
K30:
Processes for identifying, recording, and reporting pre-existing damage and any new damage.
K31:
The principles and techniques of securing loads.
K32:
Principles and techniques of radio communication and hand signalling following associated legislation, regulations, and recognised standards such as The Health and Safety (Signs and Signals) Regulations and BS 7121.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0307: Port operative - Cargo operative (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0307A
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £30,395 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 9259 Elementary storage occupations n.e.c.
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 9259/01 Dockers, slingers and stevedores
S1:
Follow port sector procedures in line with sector regulations and legislation.
S2:
Follow procedures in line with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
S3:
Identify and report hazards and risks in the workplace. Take action to mitigate hazards and risk.
S4:
Comply with safe systems of work and apply control measures.
S5:
Identify hazardous goods.
S6:
Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).
S7:
Comply with port security measures.
S8:
Follow instructions provided from information, for example, text, data, job card, work instructions, risk assessments, method statements, operation manuals, or permits to work.
S9:
Use equipment and machinery.
S10:
Follow procedures to ensure safe movement of traffic, goods, or pedestrians around the port.
S11:
Carry out pre-operational checks.
S12:
Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance.
S13:
Follow techniques for waste management across the port.
S14:
Escalate issues of concern.
S15:
Follow equity, diversity, and inclusion principles.
S16:
Use information systems. General data protection regulation (GDPR). Cyber security.
S17:
Communicate in writing with others for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
S18:
Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
S19:
Record or enter information - paper based or electronic.
S20:
Apply team working and wellbeing principles.
S21:
Uses cargo handling techniques.
S22:
Use toolbox talks.
S23:
Classify cargo.
S24:
Load, unload, or store cargo.
S25:
Follow a loading, lift or stow plan.
S26:
Identify, record and report pre-existing damage or new damage.
S27:
Secures the load, for example to maintain the integrity of the cargo, or to prevent damage to the vessel.
S28:
Use techniques to coordinate planned cargo movements for example, hand signalling or radio communication.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0307: Port operative - Cargo operative (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0307A
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £30,395 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 9259 Elementary storage occupations n.e.c.
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 9259/01 Dockers, slingers and stevedores
B1:
Prioritise health, and safety.
B2:
Considers the environment and sustainability.
B3:
Team-focus to meet work goals.
B4:
Supports an inclusive workplace.
B5:
Act in a professional manner.
B6:
Respond and adapt to work demands and situations.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0307: Port operative - Cargo operative (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0307A
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £30,395 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 9259 Elementary storage occupations n.e.c.
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 9259/01 Dockers, slingers and stevedores
