Physical Demands Analysis (PDA)

A Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) is a document that outlines all the essential job tasks, and the physical demand requirements, to perform a specific job position. All PDAs and evaluation protocols are completed by a professionally regulated clinician (physiotherapist, occupational therapist or kinesiologist) skilled in injury prevention, job analysis, and return to work planning.

What Does It Include?

• An overall description of the job position (i.e. objectives/responsibilities, typical shift length/cycle, breaks etc.)
• A breakdown of each physical job task including manual handling and positional requirements
• Information about the equipment and/or tools required when performing job duties
• The frequency and duration of each specific job task
• Objective measurements of weights, distances, heights, and forces associated with each job task
• A customized, easy to read chart of all physical job demands
• Digital images of specific job tasks and equipment/tools used
• A description of environmental conditions and personal protective equipment

Who Completes The PDA? 

• The analysis is always completed by a qualified evaluator (physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or kinesiologist) who is skilled in functional movement and job analysis
• The evaluator will analyze the job by discussing the tasks with a representative familiar with the job, observing the job in action, and gathering objective measurements
• The PDA is not finalized until it is verified by the employer representative

What Are The Benefits Of A PDA?

• It is customized to specific job positions and reflects the needs of your business
• It sets a benchmark to understand the level of physical capability needed to complete the job effectively
• It is used for effectively orienting new employees to a position
• If an employee is injured, it can minimize the time away from work by providing medical/insurance experts information on job demands, and possible modified duties
• It provides an opportunity to analyze a position, identify risk factors and determine if job tasks, or workplace environment modifications, are necessary
• It can be used to develop a post-offer employment fitness test to confirm if a worker is physically capable of completing the job safely

Contact us today to find out how we can help you, or to arrange for physical demands analysis.