DOT Frequencies - are there corresponding Cycle times?
Wed, 04/25/2007 - 3:39pm
I've been unable to find this information by searching within the Dictionary of Occupational Titles' (DOT) book and various websites and am therefore hoping someone can assist.
The company I work with uses a DOT Physical Demand Characteristics of Activity chart that has cycle times (i.e., for lifting, etc.) corresponding to frequencies:
Occasional (or 1x every 2 minutes or more)
Frequent (1x/< 2 minutes, but >15 seconds)
Constant (1x every 15 seconds or less)
Are these cycle times accurate, and if so, where did they originate from? If there are specific cycle times associated with DOT frequencies, are those noted above correct? Or are cycle times assigned arbitrarily?
Sunshine,
I am personally unaware of the origin of such a classifcation for frequency. I certainly would not classify lifting as you have defined-as the Isoinertial Lifting Evaluation rates an Occasional lift as "every half hour", not the "one time every 2 minutes or more (more often?)". In addition, peer reviewed published data, like the PILE lift test states;
"Frequent lifting ability can be tested by means of the Progressive Isoinertial Lifting Evaluation (PILE) (Mayer et al, 1988). The results of this evaluation are a reflection of the amount of weight the client will be able to lift on a frequent basis, that is between 34% and 66% of the work shift."
Perhaps if I knew what you were trying to document or interpret (writing a job description, using a DOT description or summarizing someone's abilities), I could better answer your question. In general, I define Occasional lifting as 1-4 x/hr., Frequent lifting as 5-24 x/hr. and Constant lifting as >25 x/hr., and define these terms in my reports. But with activities, I would break down further and to a specific, observed rate (cutting bands with snips 1x/3.45 minutes) if possible. A well written narative about a task is always more explanatory. RMA offers a good course on this topic.
I also think you are much "safer" using the guidelines expressed in the DOT for Strength Factors (Sedentary, Light, Medium, Heavy, Very Heavy) and using the cross-reference from research published by Dr. Matheson on Physical Demand Characteristics Of Work (on the back of Hand and Spinal Function Sort score sheets) which provides METS ranges for the above classifications.
The DOT also has a section that further defines the Strength Factor classifications and talks briefly about sitting vs. standing, pulling objects and a "production rate pace". As for your company's use of a "DOT Physical Demand Characteristics of Activity", I am unaware of such data. If you can't find it in the DOT, I would wager somone extrapolated it from a reference somewhere else. As far as I know, the DOT only classifies activities in 1/3, 2/3, or greater than 2/3 day. This is also the terminology used by Dr. Matheson.