Development of physical profiles for specific jobs

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Physical Assessment

Background:

• Heavy physical work poses injury risks, complicating direct job analysis for predictive screening.
• Job requirements often necessitate appraising physical attributes and selecting related tests for applicant evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a concise field test battery (FTB) for predicting job performance in physically demanding occupations.
• To identify objective, job-related physical factors crucial for successful job completion and reduce workplace injuries.

Main Methods:

• A 40-item test battery was administered to 241 job applicants, reduced via factor analysis to a 6-item FTB.
• The FTB was validated on 300 applicants, comparing test scores to climbing school success.
• Additional studies analyzed strength factors in relation to pole climbing performance.

Main Results:

• The step test and balance tests showed significant differences (p < .05) between successful and unsuccessful applicants.
• Percent body fat differed significantly only in males; strength and reaction times were not significant predictors.
• Static and dynamic strength tests showed significant differences (p < .05) related to pole climbing ability.

Conclusions:

• A 6-item FTB provides a valid, objective method for pre-employment screening in physically demanding jobs.
• This approach can establish success probabilities, enabling self-screening and reducing training costs and accident liability.
• Incorporating FTB profiles into medical files allows for longitudinal appraisal and informed hiring decisions.