PERFORMING A PHYSICAL DEMANDS DESCRIPTION
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310-BWE-01-IGDO © 2024, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
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PHYSICAL DEMANDS DEFINITIONS AND TIPS
Mobility
Walking – to move about on foot (greater than 2 steps).
Standing – to remain on one's feet in an upright position without moving greater than 2 steps.
Sitting – to remain in a seated position.
Crawl – to move about on ones hands and knees.
Driving – to operate a motorized vehicle, non-motorized vehicle (such as bicycle), forklift, backhoe
or other piece of equipment.
Posture – Back
Bending Forward – to bend forward and downward by bending the spine at the waist.
Bending Backwards – to extend the back, backwards (arching the back).
Twisting – twisting the upper body (trunk) or bending the upper body to the side (lateral bending).
Posture – Reaching
Above shoulder level – moving hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction so that the hand(s) is/are above
the shoulders (while handling objects less than 5 lbs.).
Chest to shoulder level – moving the hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction so that the hand(s) is/are
between chest and shoulder level (while handling objects less than 5 lbs.). If the upper arm(s) is/are
hanging vertically at ones sides, this is not considered reaching.
Below chest level – moving the hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction so that the hand(s) is/are below
chest level (while handling objects less than 5 lbs.). If the upper arm(s) are hanging vertically at ones
sides, this is not considered reaching.
Behind the body – moving the hand(s) and arm(s) anywhere behind the body
Posture – Elbow/Forearm/Wrist
Elbow Flexion/Extension – to bend and/or straighten the arm, moving about the elbow joint.
Wrist Flexion/Extenstion – to bend and/or straighten the hand, moving about the wrist joint.
Wrist rotation – to twist/turn the wrist (as if to open a door handle).
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