Description
Inspect freight, conveyances, and documentation to ensure safe, compliant transport by truck, rail, and intermodal carriers. Verify securement, condition, weights, dimensions, and hazardous materials compliance; document findings and direct corrective actions.
- • Prepare and submit inspection and shipment reports.
- • Inspect shipments to ensure freight is braced, blocked, packaged, and secured in trailers, railcars, and containers.
- • Record freight condition, handling methods, discrepancies, and corrective actions.
- • Advise crews on safe stowage and securement of heavy, oversized, and hazardous cargo.
- • Observe loading and unloading to verify compliance with procedures and load plans.
- • Recommend remedial actions to correct violations or deficiencies and verify completion.
- • Inspect loaded cargo, conveyances, and storage areas for safety, regulatory compliance, and maintenance needs.
- • Communicate special handling, temperature control, and security requirements to workers.
- • Direct crews to reload, rebalance, or add dunnage, bracing, or cushioning as needed.
- • Check temperatures and humidity in shipping and storage areas for sensitive freight.
- • Review load plans, securement standards, equipment ratings, and route restrictions to confirm capability.
- • Verify hazardous materials classification, packaging, labeling, placarding, and shipping papers; post required warnings when needed.
- • Measure and document load weights, axle loads, and dimensions to ensure compliance with limits.
- • Measure load heights and widths to confirm route clearance for bridges and tunnels.
- • Calculate cargo weights, load distribution, volume, and center-of-gravity using formulas or software.
- • Verify counts, seals, and transport documentation and reconcile discrepancies.
- • Visually inspect freight at receipt and dispatch for damage or tampering and document findings with photos.
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Related Pathways
Supply Chain & Transportation
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Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
