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| WINTER 2001 |
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| Inside: |
• Reliance on Existing Environmental Assessments
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Physical Demands Analyses (PDA)
By Lil Moro, M.Sc., CCPETHE BEGINNINGS
Task analysis is an approach that is used to systematically record human activity for the purpose of designing or evaluating human-machine interactions.
Some of the earliest methods to record human activity date back to the early part of this century. The emphasis then was mainly to study work efficiency. Over time, alternative methods have evolved with widespread applications.
WHAT IS A PDA?
Essentially, a PDA is a systematic approach for quantifying and qualifying the physical demands of a job.
Currently, there is no standard method for collecting PDA data. When conducting PDAs, it may be desirable to opt for an easy method, however, any method on their own has limitations. For example, a checklist on its own may overlook important aspects of the job that aren't visible on the day of the assessment. Survey methods on their own can also provide misleading information if perceptions are not validated with physical measurements. The approach that is used should not sacrifice the integrity of the data collected.
The process normally involves the collection of data by surveying workers, observing them while they perform their tasks, and measuring the physical components of tasks. This data is then analyzed and synthesized into a report that provides employers with an inventory of the physical demands of jobs.
A PDA report typically identifies the critical tasks of a job in relation to the postures assumed (e.g. bending, twisting), the physical work activities that are performed (e.g. lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying), and the work environment (e.g. terrain, workspace). Physical demands are also quantitatively measured in terms of time elements (e.g. duration), effort required (e.g. force) and other relevant measurements such as walking and carrying distances.
THE VALUE OF PDA'S IN INDUSTRY
The reasons behind conducting such analyses are varied. In general, the most common ones include:
DISABILITY MANAGEMENT
PDAs are a critical component of Return to Work Programs.
When a worker is injured, a PDA can provide treatment personnel with specific information for designing a rehabilitation program that matches the worker's job requirements. Furthermore, when an injured worker is ready to return to work, the employer can compare the worker's physical abilities with the physical demands of their job. This comparison can inform employers where job modifications may be needed. Where jobs are difficult to modify, a data base describing the physical demands of all jobs within an organisation can be used to help identify alternative duties that are available to workers.
INJURY PREVENTION
When the physical components of jobs are identified, an employer has the means to review jobs and determine which ones may be overloading the body. Trained personnel can identify potential injury and environmental risk factors, and better determine where control measures may be most beneficial.
Control measures are often organized into design and administrative strategies. Design strategies, for example, may involve a layout change to reduce carrying distances or provide assist devices to eliminate or reduce manual handling. Administrative strategies such as job rotation programs can also use PDA information, to design rotations to reduce worker exposures by alternating jobs or tasks among several workers.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Whether PDAs are used to support disability management or injury prevention programs, the overall aim is to:
- enable safe and effective return to work programs for injured workers.
- reduce costs associated with costly lost time and treatment programs due to injuries.
- identify opportunities to reduce injury risk factors.
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