Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to participate in stocktakes in accordance with workplace requirements including preparing for stocktakes, conducting stocktakes, counting stock, identifying stock discrepancies, and completing all required documentation. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant regulations and workplace requirements concerning the conduct of a stocktake.

Work is performed under some supervision generally within a team environment. It involves the application of product knowledge and an understanding of relevant workplace procedures and regulatory requirements when participating in stocktakes as part of work activities in the warehousing, distribution and/or storage industries.

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Prepare for stocktake 

1.1 Goods to be counted and appropriate inventory systems are identified

1.2 Required resources including equipment and record keeping systems are identified

1.3 Allocated tasks, zones and work requirements are identified

1.4 Sequence work role is planned in a time effective manner

2 Stocktake and count stock 

2.1 Stocktaking and cyclical counts are undertaken in accordance with enterprise policies and procedures

2.2 Inventory data is interpreted

2.3 Inventory data is confirmed to match stock

2.4 Stock levels are accurately counted and documented

3 Identify stock discrepancies 

3.1 Discrepancies in type, number and quality of stock are accurately recorded and documented

3.2 Products stored in inappropriate storage locations are relocated and stock records adjusted

4 Complete documentation 

4.1 Inventory data is reconciled to match warehouse stock in accordance with company procedures

4.2 Workplace documentation is completed

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge :

• Australian codes and regulations relevant to the conduct of stocktakes

• Relevant OH&S and environmental protection procedures and guidelines

• Workplace procedures and policies for the conduct of stocktakes

• Focus of operation of work systems, equipment, management and site operating systems for the conduct of stocktakes

• Workplace processes for records management and the production of stocktake reports

• Principles of operation and functions of stocktake systems

• Housekeeping standards procedures required in the workplace

• Site layout and obstacles

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when conducting stocktakes

• Read and comprehend simple statements in English

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures and labels relevant to the conduct of stocktakes

• Complete documentation related to the conduct of stocktakes

• Work collaboratively with others when conducting stocktakes

• Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

• Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems that may arise when conducting stocktakes in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

• Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

• Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

• Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

• Operate and adapt to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

• Select and use relevant communication, computing and office equipment when conducting stocktakes

• Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

• The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

• the underpinning knowledge and skills
• relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• other relevant aspects of the range statement

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

• In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment 

• Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
• As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
• Practical assessment must occur:

• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
• in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Work may be conducted:

• in a range of work environments
• by day or night

Customers may be:

• internal or external

Workplaces may comprise:

• large, medium or small worksites

Work may be conducted in:

• restricted spaces
• exposed conditions
• controlled or open environments

Goods may involve:

• special handling, location, storage and/or packaging requirements, including temperature controlled goods and dangerous goods

Inventory systems may be:

• automated
• manual
• paper based
• computerised
• microfiche

Categories or groups of products/stock may include:

• small parts
• perishable goods
• overseas export
• dangerous goods
• refrigerated products
• temperature controlled stock
• fragile goods

The characteristics of products/stock may include:

• small parts
• toxicity
• flammability
• form
• weight
• size
• state
• perishability
• fragility
• security risk

Labelling systems may include:

• batch code
• bar code
• identification numbering systems
• serial numbers
• symbols for safe handling
• ADG and HAZCHEM Codes

Hazards in the work area may include:

• chemicals
• dangerous or hazardous substances
• movements of equipment, goods and materials
• oil or water on floor
• a fire or explosion
• damaged packaging or pallets
• debris on floor
• faulty racking
• poorly stacked pallets
• faulty equipment

Communication in the work area may include:

• phone
• electronic data interchange (EDI)
• fax
• email
• internet
• RF systems
• oral, aural or signed communications

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• organisational procedures
• established procedures

Personal protective equipment may include:

• gloves
• safety headwear and footwear
• safety glasses
• two-way radios
• high visibility clothing

Consultative processes may involve:

• other employees and supervisors
• suppliers, customers and clients
• relevant authorities and institutions
• management and union representatives
• industrial relations and OH&S specialists
• other maintenance, professional or technical staff

Information/documents may include:

• goods identification numbers and codes
• manifests, picking slips, merchandise transfers, stock requisitions and bar codes
• codes of practice and regulations relevant to the identification, handling and stacking of goods
• Australian and international regulations and codes of practice for the handling, stacking and transport of dangerous goods and hazardous substances
• operations manuals, job specifications and induction documentation
• manufacturers specifications for equipment
• workplace procedures and policies
• supplier and/or client instructions
• dangerous goods declarations and material safety data sheets (where applicable)
• award, enterprise bargaining agreement, other industrial arrangements
• relevant Australian standards and certification requirements
• quality assurance procedures
• emergency procedures

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• relevant codes and regulations for the packaging of goods
• Australian and international regulations and codes of practice for the handling and transport of dangerous goods and hazardous substances, including:

• Australian and International Dangerous Goods Codes
• Australian and International Explosives Codes

• licence, patent or copyright arrangements
• water and road use and licence arrangements
• export/import/quarantine/bond requirements
• relevant state/territory OH&S and environmental protection legislation
• workplace relations regulations
• workers compensation regulations

Competency Field 

A - Handling Cargo/Stock