A physical demands analysis measures the environmental and physical rigors associated with a job. Companies conduct this analysis as part of employment prescreening activities or the return-to-work check-in for formerly injured employees. It is also done for individuals who have some physical limitation which could hinder their ability to perform the tasks associated with the job. A physical demands analysis can identify environmental and physical risk factors or job mismatches.
A physical demands analysis, or PDA, measures the physical and environmental factors required by employees to fulfill a job function. A PDA document describes the characteristics of physical tasks including lifting, pushing and pulling and the frequency, duration and force associated with these tasks. It also may describe environmental factors including noise, heat exposure and chemicals. PDAs can fall under functional job analysis or functional ability evaluation. Qualified health and safety professionals administer PDAs, while human resource personnel control PDA documents and ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Conducting a physical demands analysis enables hiring companies to place all employees, but particularly those with special needs or considerations, into compatible environments and positions. This ensures employees can finish all their assigned work without straining their bodies or causing injury. A PDA document can serve as a legal record of a person's true capabilities as opposed to someone's assumption of their capabilities. Therefore, the PDA process and subsequent documentation also may reduce active discrimination against disabled or functionally limited individuals.
Physical demands analysis can identify those tasks or environments which are potentially harmful to employees. In certain office environments, a PDA may show that constant computer use is leading to eye strain, back strain and repetitive wrist issues -- including ganglion cysts or carpal tunnel syndrome. To reduce or eliminate these issues, companies may install ergonomically correct chairs, keyboards and wrist braces. They may also install timers to remind employees to take frequent stretching and eye rotation breaks. These actions drastically reduce employees' risk of injury or disease.
Post Injury Return
In manufacturing, construction and other labor intensive environments, employees encounter a variety of injury threat exposures. Although the threat of injury is lower in office environments, it still exists. When an employee suffers an injury, a physical demands analysis helps bring the employee back to work at a job suitable for their recovery but less strenuous than his pre-injury position. One example would be placement of a data entry administrator into a filing and telephone response role upon return from carpal tunnel surgery. By determining that an employee is capable of filling an available role, the employee can return to full-time status, which typically pays much more than workers' compensation benefits.
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