HHA Physical Demand Summary

Physical Demand Ratings are an estimate of the overall strength requirements that are considered to be important for an average, successful work performance of a specific job. In order to classify the occupation of a worker with a physical demand rating, the most strenuous and frequently performed tasks are evaluated.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach forward with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and may occasionally lift or move 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The overall physical demand rating for a job of the HHA falls within the Medium classification according to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. However, due to the fact that aides work by themselves and are the sole caretaker, and therefore, do not have help in moving/lifting patients, this position has been classified as Heavy(exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects*). The maximum force and frequency associated with each job task for the HHA have been objectively measured and are indicated below:

Physical Demands:

Lifting/Lowering/Carrying / Task / Height of Lift / Force Required / Frequency
(per 8 hr shift)
Below Knuckle Height
(below 26 inches for 95% of worker population) / Assisting with patient transfer / Chair to bed /
Bed to Chair
2-3 Feet / 50 lbs / Occasionally
Assist patient who has fallen. May occur once per shift or less / Floor to Chair
2-3 Feet / 50 – 100 lbs / Occasionally
Assist patient who has fallen may occur once per shift or less / Floor to Bed
3-5 Feet / 50 - 100 lbs / Occasionally
Waist Level / Checking dressings, vitals / 5-10 Feet
distance to cart / 1-2 lbs / Frequently
Cleaning/bathing patients / 5-10 Feet / 1-10 lbs / Frequently
Other personal care to patients / 5-10 Feet / 1-10lbs / Frequently
Above Shoulder / Supplies / 1-2 Feet / 12 – 40 inches / Occasionally

*Employees are encouraged to safely move patients and use alternative methods whenever possible. Alternative methods may include requesting assistance to transfer patients.

Reaching / Task / Distance / Frequency
(per 8 hour shift)
Below Shoulder Level / Retrieve supplies; assist patients with transfer; / Downward
1-4 Feet / Occasionally
Waist Level / Patient care / Forward
1-4 Feet / Frequently
Above Shoulder Level / Retrieve supplies / Upward
2-5 Feet / Occasionally
Pushing/Pulling / Task / Technique / Force Requirement / Frequency
(per 8 hour shift)
Wheelchair with or without patient / Pushing from a standing or walking position / 10-50 LBS / Frequently
Drawer/
Keyboard tray / Pulling from a standing position / >2 LBS / Occasionally
Activity / Task Description / Task Duration/Rate
(per 8 hour shift)
Standing / Care for patients / Frequently
Walking / Moving between rooms in the residence; accessing supplies / Frequently
Climbing stairs / Moving between floors / Occasionally
Twisting/Bending / To access supplies; assess patients at a lower level; access beds or items on the floor. / Occasionally
Sitting / Complete paperwork; keeping patient company / Frequently
Squatting/Crouching / Assess patient at lower level; access bed or items on the floor / Occasionally
Firm Grasping / Patient care; transporting patient / Occasionally
Feeling/Tactile Sensation / Patient care / Occasionally

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While

performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions if escorting patients outside. Inside conditions are climate controlled, usually to accommodate the preferences of the patient. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

Exposure
Noise / Low
Fumes / No
Dust / Possible
Odor / Yes
Mechanical Hazards / Yes
Confined Spaces / No
Extremes of Cold / Possible
Extremes of Heat / Possible
Wet and Humid / Possible
Exposure to Heights / No
Vibration / No
High voltage Exposure / Possible

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AS PUBLISHED BY THE US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, 1991 in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th, Edition.

S-Sedentary

Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking for standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

L-Light

Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or 10 pounds of force frequently (one-third to tw0-thirds of the time), and for a negligible amount of force constantly (two-thirds or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated light work:

1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or

2) when it requires sitting most of the time, but entails pushing and/or pulling of arms or leg controls; and/or

3) when the job requires working at a production pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible.

M-Medium

Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

H-Heavy

Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Medium Work.

V-Very Heavy Work

Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work.

DEFINITION OF FREQUENCY RATIONGS:

Occasionally

Activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the shift

Frequently

Activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the shift

Constantly

Activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the shift