Table 1.
Worker abilities and work contexts based on the Occupational Information Network*
| Measure | Examples | Cut points |
|---|---|---|
| Worker abilities (definition) | ||
| Arm-hand steadiness (ability to keep hand steady while moving arm, or holding arm and hand in one position) |
Light a candle = 2; Thread a needle = 4 | 0.7, 1.6, 2.3 |
| Manual dexterity (ability to quickly move hands or arms to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects) |
Screw in a light bulb = 2; Pack fruit in a crate quickly = 4 |
0.6, 1.4, 2.4 |
| Multi-limb coordination (ability to coordinate 2 or more limbs while sitting, standing, or lying down) |
Row a boat = 2; Operate a forklift = 4 | 0.4, 1.4, 2.0 |
| Speed of limb movement (ability to quickly move arms and legs) |
Saw wood = 2; Swat a fly with a swatter = 4 | 0.1, 0.5, 1.3 |
| Static strength (ability to exert maximum force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects) |
Push an empty cart = 1; Pull a 40-pound sack = 4 |
0.2, 0.8, 2.0 |
| Dynamic strength (ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time) |
Trim bushes with shears = 2; Climb a 48-foot ladder = 5 |
0, 0.3, 1.1 |
| Explosive strength (ability to use short bursts of force to propel oneself [jumping or sprinting] or throw an object) |
Hammer a nail = 2; Jump onto a 3-foot high Platform = 4 |
0, 0, 0.3† |
| Trunk strength (ability to use abdominal and lower back muscles to support the body repeatedly or continuously without fatiguing) |
Sit up in an office chair = 2; Shovel snow for 30 minutes = 4 |
1.1, 1.8, 2.4 |
| Stamina (ability to exert oneself physically over long periods without getting winded) |
Walk one-quarter mile = 1; Climb 6 flights of stairs = 4 |
0.1, 0.6, 1.4 |
| Extent flexibility (ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach) | Reach for automobile controls on a dashboard = 2; Reach a box on a high shelf = 4 |
0.3, 1.0, 1.9 |
| Dynamic flexibility (ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out) |
Pick a bushel of apples from a tree = 2; Perform a dance routine = 5 |
0, 0, 0.1† |
| Gross body coordination (ability to coordinate movement of arms, legs, and torso when whole body is in motion) |
Get in and out of a truck = 2; Swim the length of a pool = 4 |
0.3, 0.7, 1.5 |
| Gross body equilibrium (ability to keep or regain balance when in an unstable position) |
Stand on a ladder = 2; Walk on ice across a pond = 4 |
0, 0.4, 1.0 |
| Work context | ||
| Time spent sitting | 4.0, 3.5, 2.8 | |
| Time spent standing | 2.3, 2.7, 3.3 | |
| Time spent walking or running | 1.8, 2.2, 2.7 | |
| Time spent climbing | 1.0, 1.2, 1.4 | |
| Time spent kneeling, stooping, or crawling | 1.3, 1.5, 1.9 | |
| Time spent bending or twisting | 1.5, 1.8, 2.1 | |
| Time spent keeping or regaining balance | 1.1, 1.3, 1.5 | |
| Time spent using hands to feel or control objects, controls, or tools |
2.1, 3.0, 4.4 | |
| Time spent making repetitive motions | 2.2, 2.7, 3.5 | |
| Exposure to cramped work spaces that require awkward positions |
1.3, 1.6, 2.0 | |
| Exposure to whole body vibration | 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 | |
| Exposure to work outdoors in all weather conditions | 1.4, 1.8, 2.5 | |
| Exposure to extreme heat or cold | 1.4, 1.8, 2.4 |
*
Cut points represent the values of each occupational measure that define the quartiles used in the analyses. Values for worker abilities ranged from 0 (low) to 7 (high) based on the level of ability required for each job. Values for work context ranged from 1 (never) to 5 (continually or daily) based on the frequency of exposure.
†
Slightly more than 50% of patients had no jobs with a requirement for these abilities. The lower 2 quartiles were therefore collapsed, and only 3 categories of exposure were considered for analyses.