Poly-packer and heat sealer, DOT 920.686-038 – Unskilled Light Work

I have not had a vocational expert identify poly-packer and heat sealer but reports suggest that this an occupation in the industrial areas of the country. 

The Dictionary of Occupational Titles defines poly-packer as light unskilled work with a reasoning level of 2.  The "6" in the things place in the DOT code is the only significant worker function -- feeding and offbearing.  The Selected Characteristics of Occupations describe poly-packer as requiring no stooping; frequent reaching, handling, fingering, and feeling; occasional near acuity; frequent depth perception; exposure to loud noise; and average finger and manual dexterity.  Poly-packers perform repetitive work and attain precise set limits, tolerances, and standards.  Labor puts the poly-packer in the group of machine feeders and offbearers (SOC 53-7063). 

The O*NET OnLine describes machine feeders as having occasional or less contact with others in 14% of jobs; work with a group or team as not important in 3% of jobs; and work full-time in 96% of jobs. 

The Occupational Requirements Survey (2018 data set) states that machine feeders engage in unskilled work in 63.5% of jobs.  Machine feeders engage in medium work in 55% of jobs.  At the 90th percentile, machine feeders lift/carry 70.65 pounds as the maximum.  At least 10% and probably more require heavy exertion.  Machine feeders stand/walk 7.2 hours per day at the 25th percentile.  and 9.25 hours at the 90th percentile. 

The Occupational Outlook Handbook and the employment projections state the 2016 employment of machine feeders at 87,700 jobs.  The full-time work represents 84,192 jobs; unskilled full-time work represents 53,883 jobs; and medium unskilled full-time work represents 29,636 jobs.  With at least 10% of the jobs requiring heavy exertion (5,388 unskilled jobs), the number of light unskilled jobs cannot exceed 18,860 jobs.  The number of jobs that permit the person to stand/walk less than or equal to six hours in a workday is zero. 

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