Reading tasks

1Literacy and numeracy profile: Ramp Operator© Workbase 01/10

Literacy and numeracy profile:

Ramp Operators

This profile identifies the literacy and numeracy tasks that are part of the role of Ramp Operators. In this profile

literacy includes, reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Read implies that a person reads and understands.

Ramp operators are required to read and understand a large amount of specialised technical vocabulary and abbreviations.

Read signs and short texts (including pictures, symbols, abbreviations and codes)

• Healthandsafetysigns

• Dangerousgoodsandhazardousmaterialssigns

• Airsideandlandsideroadsigns

• Holddoorsigns

• Containerandbaggagelabels

• Aircraftregistration

• Bagcountforms

• Aircraftandmachineryswitchoperatinglabels

• Nose–InGuidanceSystem(NGS)

• Whiteboardnotes

• Tasklists(handwrittenandcomputergenerated)

• Handwrittennotesincludingshorthandandjargon

• SMSTextnotificationofworkinstructions

• Alphanumericcodes(airsidevehicleidentificationcodes,equipmentserialandpartnumbers)

Read charts, tables and graphs

• Company,teamandindividualperformancemeasures

• Aircraftturnaroundtimes

• Airportandroadmaps

• Airlineschedules

• Complexrostersystems (electronicandhardcopy)

Read forms on the job

• Maintenanceforms

• Recordsofwork

• Supplyorderforms

• Dangerousgoodscargoforms

• Equipmentandaircraftdamageforms

• Hazardloginformation

• Timesheetsandleaveforms

• Jobapplicationforms

• Performancereviews

Read plans and diagrams

• Loadandoffloadplans

• Aeroplanemanifest

• Aircraftdiagramsshowingangles,allocatedareasandcargoloadingweightdistribution

• Assemblydrawings(serviceandpartsmanuals)

Read memos and notices

• Healthandsafety

• Unioninformation

• Airportandairlineoperations

• Policyandprocedurechanges

• Flightschedulechanges

• Events

• Issuesandproblems

• Handlingdangerousgoods

• Emergencyresponse

Continued... >

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Reading tasks continued...

Writing tasks

2Literacy and numeracy profile: Ramp Operator© Workbase 01/10

Read instructions and more detailed job information

• Findinformationinmanuals: - customer service - technicalandmaintenance - healthandsafety

• Emergencyresponseprocedures

• Airsidedrivingrulesandprocedures

• Jobdescriptionandemploymentcontract

• CodeofConduct

• Companyrulesandprocedures

Read excerpts from legislation, regulations or industry standards

• Handlingdangerousgoods

• Hazardousmaterials

• InternationalAirTransportationAssociationregulationsforloadingstandards

Read training material

• Processandproceduresforeachairlineandaircrafttype

• Healthandsafetyorfirstaid

• Emergencyresponse

• Testsandexaminations

Read dials, gauges, electronic and LED displays

• Water

• Fuel

• Pressure

• Speed

• RPM

• Mileage

• Temperature

Fill in and sign off on documents to confirm read and understood

• Induction

• Healthandsafety

• Loadandoffloadconfirmationreports

Write brief notes

• Shortnotestocolleaguesaboutanevent(forexampleremovalofbaggage)

• Quantityofbagsinacart

• Tasklistforthenextshiftonwhiteboard,paperoremail

• Todescribemaintenanceorequipment problem

Complete forms independently

• Loadinginformationreportform

• Cabindiscrepancylog

• Loadandoffloadplans

• Signoffandhandoverreports

• Toreportaproblemresultinginadelaytoaircrafttakeoff

• Equipmentdamage

• Parts,equipmentandmaintenancerequests

• Timesheets

• Leaveforms

Complete forms with the assistance of others

• Accident,incidentorhazardreport

• Emergencyresponse

• Performanceappraisal

Create drawings or sketches

• Toshowhowcargoshouldbeloaded

• Tocommunicateamaintenanceorequipment problem

Write for training purposes

• Tocompleteworkbooks

• Competencytestsorexaminations

Speaking and listening tasks

3Literacy and numeracy profile: Ramp Operator© Workbase 01/10

Note: There is a significant dependence on oral communication to deliver work instructions and training.

Listen to oral instructions and explanations from

• Ramplead

• Shiftsupervisororteammanager

• Aircraftengineers

• Aircraftpilots

• Emergencyresponsepersonnel

• Airportauthoritystaff

• Aviationsecurity

• MAForcustomsrepresentatives

• Police

• Customerairlinerepresentatives

• Co-workers

• Groundcrew

• Cleaningcrew

• Trainerortutor

Ask questions to

• Clarifyinstructions

• Makerequests

• Seekassistancefromsupervisororco-workers

Orally report to manager or supervisor

• Anythingthateffectstheturnaroundtimeofanaircraft

• Healthandsafetyhazards

• Completionandprogressofwork

• Equipmentmalfunction

• Damagetobaggage,containers,equipmentoraircraft

Communicate with

• Co-workersaboutworksituationsandtoensureaircraftturnaroundiscompleted on time

• Peoplewho’sfirstlanguagemaybedifferenttotheirown

• Officestafftodiscusstasksandflightschedules

• Trainers,trainees,supervisorormanagerabouttraining

Give instructions to others

• Aboutworktheyneedtodo

Communicate using

• Phoneticalphabet

• Specificworkplacesignlanguage

• Aircraftmarshallingsignals

• Twowayradioequipment

• Complexindustryvocabularyandabbreviations

• Mobilephones

Numeracy tasks

Critical thinking tasks

4Literacy and numeracy profile: Ramp Operator© Workbase 01/10

Make sense of number to solve problems

Count

• Bags

• Dollytrainsortrolleys

• Cargounits

• Supplies

Calculate conversions

• Litrestogallons

• CelsiustoFahrenheit

Calculate

• Aloadfactorforweightandbalance

• Weightsofliquids

• Timeusing12and24hourclocks

• Timetakentocompletework

Measure and interpret space and shape

Measure

• Weight

• Timeusing12and24hourclocks

Estimate

• Distance

• Length

• Width

• Speed

• Angles

• Volume

• Pressure

• Temperature

• Time

• Weight

Examples of tasks involving estimations

• Estimateweightandsizeofbaggageandcargotobalanceaircraftandusespaceefficiently

• Estimateanglesofturnforaircraft,machineryandvehicles

• Estimatedifferentanglesinthecargoareaandadjustloadingprocedures to fit

• Estimatetimeandspaceavailableforlastminutebaggageanddecidewhethertoloadorsendlater

• Estimatethespaceavailableforselfandotherstosafelymovecargo,baggage,livestockandotherheavyitems in confined spaces

• Estimatethetimeandthenumberofpeoplerequiredtocompleteatask

Be constantly alert to potential risks to self and others when working with or around heavy and complex machinery (for example: hydraulic lifts, tugs and tows, loading belts and jet engines)

• Nearmiss,incident,accident,hazardsandanyotherhealthandsafetyrisks

• Equipmentproblems

Plan and decide how to complete a load or off load safely and efficiently

Recognise faults with machinery and vehicles

Quickly and accurately identify problems and develop potential solutions

Workbase: the New Zealand Centre for Workforce Literacy Development2VermontSt,Ponsonby,Auckland, POBox56571,DominionRoad,Auckland,NewZealand.Phone:093613800Fax:093763700www.workbase.org.nz