Red Seal Parts Technician cheat sheet

Hazard control hierarchy, most to least effective: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, then personal protective equipment.

An SDS has 16 sections; Section 4 covers first aid measures and Section 8 covers exposure controls and personal protection.

A WHMIS 2015 supplier label must carry the product identifier, hazard pictogram(s), signal word, hazard statement(s), precautionary statement(s) and supplier identifier.

Fire classes: A ordinary combustibles, B flammable liquids and gases, C energized electrical, D combustible metals, K cooking oils.

Manual lifting guideline: keep the load close to the body (about 25 cm), lift with the legs, avoid twisting; the NIOSH recommended weight limit for an ideal lift is roughly 23 kg (51 lb).

Lockout/tagout sequence: notify affected workers, shut down, isolate all energy sources, apply personal lock and tag, release stored energy, then verify zero energy.

Records must be legible, dated and initialled; corrections are made with a single line, initials and date, never by erasing or overwriting.

A catalogue lookup is anchored on VIN or complete application data (year, make, model, engine), never on a text description alone.

Left and right are determined from the driver's seat facing forward; on a left-hand-drive vehicle the left side is the driver's side.

VIN positions: 1–3 world manufacturer identifier, 4–8 vehicle attributes, 9 check digit, 10 model year, 11 plant code, 12–17 production sequence.

Metric fastener M10 x 1.5 means 10 mm nominal diameter with 1.5 mm thread pitch; SAE 3/8-16 UNC means 16 threads per inch.

Supersession rule: when an OEM number is replaced, sell and stock the latest number, but keep the old number cross-referenced for future lookups.

Interchange listings are a starting point only; confirm fit by dimension, thread, connector type, voltage or other specification before selling.

Common abbreviations: OEM original equipment manufacturer, OES original equipment supplier, NOS new old stock, reman remanufactured, NLA no longer available.

OEM part numbers typically combine a group or category code, a base number, and a suffix that identifies side, colour, oversize or revision.

Reorder point = (average daily usage x lead time in days) + safety stock.

Safety stock = (maximum daily usage x maximum lead time) - (average daily usage x average lead time).

Inventory turnover = cost of goods sold / average inventory value, where average inventory = (opening value + closing value) / 2.

Shrinkage % = (book value - counted value) / book value x 100; causes include theft, damage, mis-pick, unrecorded returns and keying errors.

ABC ranking: A items are roughly the top 80% of inventory value in about 20% of the SKUs and receive the most frequent cycle counts.

Cycle counts are most reliable when the location is frozen, the count is blind (counter cannot see expected quantity), and adjustments carry a documented reason code.

GMROI = gross margin dollars / average inventory cost; a result above 1.0 means the inventory earns more margin than it costs to hold.

Stock with no issue in 12 months is flagged as non-moving and reviewed for return to supplier, markdown or write-down reserve.

A purchase order must state the PO number, order date, ship-to and bill-to, part number and description, quantity, unit price, terms, freight responsibility and required delivery date.

FOB origin: buyer pays freight and takes ownership in transit. FOB destination: seller pays freight and carries the risk until delivery.

Terms 2/10 net 30 means a 2% discount if the invoice is paid within 10 days, otherwise the full amount is due at 30 days.

Three-way match compares purchase order, receiving report and supplier invoice; pay only when quantity and price agree or a variance is approved in writing.

Returns require an RMA number; confirm restocking fee, freight charge and non-returnable categories (electrical, opened fluids, special order) before promising credit.

Vendor evaluation criteria: price, fill rate, lead time, defect rate, warranty and return terms, and technical support.

Landed cost = purchase price + inbound freight + duty and brokerage + handling; selling price is set from landed cost, not from the invoice price alone.

Receiving sequence: match the PO, count and inspect against the packing slip, record shortages or damage on the carrier's document before signing, then receive into the system.

Concealed damage must be reported to the carrier within its stated limit (commonly 15 days), with the original carton and packing material retained.

Put-away confirms location accuracy; the bin location is recorded so picking can be system-directed.

FIFO rotation: oldest date code ships first; shelf life and supersession are checked at put-away, not at pick.

Forklift rated capacity decreases as load centre distance increases; never exceed the data plate rating and never add counterweight by adding people or ballast.

Load heavy items low and centred on the pallet; secure with stretch wrap, banding or dunnage and keep weight off the top tier.

Outbound document set: bill of lading, packing list, commercial invoice for cross-border shipments, and dangerous goods documentation where applicable.

Pick accuracy controls include scan-verified picking, pick-to-light or voice systems, and a check-weigh at the pack station.

Gross margin % = (selling price - cost) / selling price x 100; markup % = (selling price - cost) / cost x 100, so markup is always the larger number.

To price from a target margin: price = cost / (1 - margin %). To price from a markup: price = cost x (1 + markup %).

A quotation should state part numbers, quantity, unit and total price, taxes, freight, core charges, payment terms and a validity date.

Confirm fitment using VIN or complete application data before quoting, and record the VIN on the order when it is available.

Return policy elements to state up front: proof of purchase, time limit, restocking fee, condition requirement, and exclusions for installed or special-order parts.

Merchandising rules: high-margin and impulse items at eye level near the counter, consistent facing, and related items cross-merchandised (gaskets, hardware, fluids).

Complaint handling: listen without interrupting, restate the concern, verify facts against records, offer a resolution within policy, then document the outcome.