Physical Demands Description Handbook Curtis VanderGriendt & - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Physical Demands Description Handbook Curtis VanderGriendt & Brendan Coffey Ergonomists – Hamilton & Windsor Clinics

What is a Physical Demands Description (PDD)? Physical Demands Description (PDD) : A systematic procedure to quantify and evaluate all of the physical, environmental and cognitive demands of all essential and non-essential tasks of a job.

Who relies on PDD information? • External • Internal – Human Resources – Physicians – Physiotherapists – Health & Safety – Occupational Health – Occupational Therapists – WSIB Adjudicators – Supervisors – Insurance Providers – Engineers

What is the PDD used for? Communicate job Provide data for use in requirements to healthcare adjudication of injury claims professionals Identify areas for further To provide information for hiring analysis (i.e. MSD hazards) and training

One example of its application Assess Job Assess Demands Functional (PDD) Capacity (FCE) Reduce Improve Demands Capacity Σ (job (assistive device, improvements) exercise) No No Sufficient Information Assess Assess Yes MSD pain/injury No No hazards reports Capacity > Demand Yes Adapted from Successful matching Armstrong et al. 2001

The legal reason for the PDD Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 Section 37(3) “ When requested to do so by an injured worker or the employer, a health professional treating the worker shall give the Board, the worker and the employer such information as may be prescribed concerning the worker’s functional abilities. The required information must be provided on the prescribed form .”

Who completes the PDD? • Internal Staff (Managers, Supervisors, etc.) – preferably someone with expertise in health and safety • Trained experts (Hired Consultants) – Always check credentials! • Certified Ergonomist – Canadian Certified Professional Ergonomist (CCPE) A worker performing the job should always be present to observer “sign - off” to confirm the completeness

Preparing to conduct a PDD • Determine where PDD(s) are required • Determine who needs to be involved • Have trained observer(s) • Have all necessary equipment • Schedule observation & data collection

Observation & Data Collection • Determine job purpose & tasks • Verify purpose & tasks • Quantify physical demands • Classify essential & non-essential tasks

Observation & Data Collection • Measurement Tools • Measurement Techniques – Average multiple measures – Record absolute values – Include maximum ranges

Observation & Data Collection • Environmental Factors – Noise, lighting, vibration, temperature • Photographs

Observation & Data Collection • Physical Demand Elements

Physical Demand Task Details

PDD Template Task Task 1. Driving Loader 1. Task Name Duration Duration The worker will move sand and stone from storage lots on the 5-15 minutes plant yard to an underground hopper that funnels materials per material Description of the task and environmental factors (what, Insert Photo onto a conveyor belt. where, how, etc.) Task Task of Task Frequency Frequency 12 – 15 times per shift Task Elements Measure 1 Measure 2 Measure 3 Measure 4 Measure 5 Measure 6 Measure 7 Task Elements Duration Seat Height Dimensions Surface Element 1 Sit 5-15 minutes 55-65 cm 45 x 45 x 12 cm Cushioned Measure 1 Measure 2 Measure 3 Measure 4 Measure 5 Measure 6 Measure 7 Duration Hand Height Vehicle Surface Surroundings Element 2 Driving 5-15 minutes 80 – 85 cm Front-End Loader Gravel Other Vehicles Measure 1 Measure 2 Measure 3 Measure 4 Measure 5 Measure 6 Measure 7 Frequency Force Height Object Foot/Feet Element 3 10 times per Foot Action 25-28 kg 15 cm Accelerator Both minute

Reporting • Finalize PDD document • Distribute for approval & sign-off • File & Backup

Future Considerations • Timeline for review & updates • Use of data for MSD prevention

Objective vs. Subjective PDD Information • Absolute measurements are key • Reduce generalizations and guesswork • A PDD should reflect the job not the worker • Relying on subjective information may be problematic

PDD Training & Evaluation Research • 3 Hour Workshop (2 x 90’ sessions) – Time allotted in undergraduate curriculums & JHSC courses (Robins & Klitzman, 1988) • Interactive design – Brief lecture periods – Individual and small group activities – Familiarization with measurement tools

PDD Workshop Personal work history examples Video demonstrations Demonstrated in-class scenarios

Assessing Job Simulations Participants were asked to identify & quantify physical demands Identification results compared to an 80% accuracy threshold Quantification results compared to a 10% error threshold

Results - Identification * 100 80 Accuracy (%) 60 40 20 0 Video 1 Video 2 Live

Results - Identification 100 90 80 70 Accuracy (%) 60 Video 1 50 Video 2 40 Live 30 20 10 0 Strength Mobility Hand-Activity Sensory

Results – Measurement 100 90 80 200 70 Relative Error (%) 60 * 150 50 Relative Error (%) (A) * 40 100 30 20 (D) * 10 50 0 Weight Height Horizontal Frequency 0 Reach Force Height Distance Frequency 50 40 Relative Error (%) 30 600 (B) 20 500 10 Relative Error (%) 400 0 300 (E) Height Frequency 200 * 100 80 * 0 Force Height Distance Frequency Relative Error (%) 60 40 (C) A = Lift/Lower B = Grip C = Walk 20 D = Push E = Pull 0 Distance

What We Learned • Participants accurately identified physical demand elements as a group • Participants did not accurately quantify physical demand elements • Be cautioned to who is collecting PDD data, their training, experience, credentials, etc.

Take Home Message • Emphasis on process, considerations, and measurement techniques • Template is applicable in wide range of settings • Can be used as either stand- alone or additional resource for your current PDD program