CLA Receiving and Storing Products 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a shipment arrives with visible damage to the outer packaging, what is the FIRST action a warehouse associate should take?
- Accept the shipment and note damage internally
- Refuse the entire shipment immediately
- Note the damage on the delivery receipt before signing (Correct answer)
- Call the supplier before the driver leaves
Correct answer: Note the damage on the delivery receipt before signing
Noting damage on the delivery receipt before signing creates a legal record that protects the company during any claims process.
Question 2: What does the term 'FIFO' stand for in warehouse storage practices?
- First In, First Out (Correct answer)
- Fast Items, Forward Only
- Freight Inventory Filing Order
- First Inspection, Final Output
Correct answer: First In, First Out
FIFO (First In, First Out) ensures that older inventory is used or shipped before newer stock, reducing spoilage and obsolescence.
Question 3: A pallet of canned goods is received but the expiration dates are only 30 days away, which is below company policy. What should the associate do?
- Accept and store normally
- Accept but place at front for quick sale
- Quarantine and notify a supervisor (Correct answer)
- Return to sender without documentation
Correct answer: Quarantine and notify a supervisor
Items that do not meet company shelf-life standards must be quarantined and escalated to a supervisor for disposition decisions.
Question 4: Which document confirms the quantity and condition of goods received from a supplier?
- Bill of Lading
- Purchase Order
- Receiving Report (or Goods Receipt) (Correct answer)
- Packing Slip
Correct answer: Receiving Report (or Goods Receipt)
A Receiving Report documents what was actually received, including quantities and any discrepancies or damage noted at time of receipt.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a 'putaway' process in warehouse operations?
- Removing damaged goods from shelves
- Moving received goods to their assigned storage location (Correct answer)
- Preparing orders for shipment
- Counting inventory during a cycle count
Correct answer: Moving received goods to their assigned storage location
Putaway is the process of moving newly received goods from the receiving dock to their designated storage location in the warehouse.
Question 6: Why is it important to store heavy items on the LOWER shelves and lighter items on UPPER shelves?
- To make the warehouse look organized
- To comply with OSHA safety standards preventing tip-overs and injuries (Correct answer)
- Because heavy items sell faster
- To make inventory counting easier
Correct answer: To comply with OSHA safety standards preventing tip-overs and injuries
Storing heavy items low and light items high lowers the center of gravity of racking systems, preventing tip-overs and reducing injury risk per OSHA guidelines.
Question 7: What is the correct procedure when a received shipment quantity is LESS than what was ordered on the Purchase Order?
- Accept and store, do nothing further
- Refuse the entire shipment
- Accept what arrived and document the shortage for the buyer or purchasing team (Correct answer)
- Re-order immediately without notifying anyone
Correct answer: Accept what arrived and document the shortage for the buyer or purchasing team
Short shipments should be accepted (if otherwise acceptable), documented on the receiving record, and communicated to the purchasing team to resolve the discrepancy.
CLA Receiving and Storing Products 2
When a shipment arrives with visible damage to the outer packaging, what is the FIRST action a warehouse associate should take?