27 Examples of Physical Requirements

John Spacey, October 07, 2022

Physical requirements are specifications of the physical demands of a job, activity or task. These are stated in pragmatic terms without making any assumptions about specific physical abilities. For example, a job might require "working low to the ground in a confined space for up to 30 minutes at a time" without making assumptions about how this would be done with words such as "crawling", "walking" or "crouching". This leaves room for people to do the required job according to their abilities. The following are illustrative examples of physical requirements.

Accurately perceive situations in fast moving environments such as noticing that someone is suddenly working directly behind you with a power tool.	Ascend / descend a ladder.
Communicate with customers over the phone and in person.	Constantly move around a large facility to gather items from shelves.
Detect heat, fire and smoke to identity safety issues on site.	Judge the flavor of food.
Keyboard dozens of pages of text each hour.	Lift 100 pounds.
Move a cart that weighs up to 200 pounds around a warehouse up to 10 miles a day.	Operate a computer / peripheral device / machine.
Pick up items at speed from a conveyor belt.	Quickly move a fire hose up to 250 feet across irregular urban terrain. A fire hose can weigh hundreds of pounds when full.
Regularly access low and high spaces that may be at irregular angles such as under a desk.	Remain in a stationary position for 4-6 hours at a time.
Repeatedly lift 20-80 pounds.	Steadily hold medical devices for several minutes at a time.
Use tools weighing 1-10 pounds for hours at a time.	Use tools with great accuracy.
Visual acuity of at least 20/40 in either or both eyes with or without corrective lenses.	Visually confirm readings on small dials in the cockpit.
Wear appropriate protective gear such as a helmet, goggles, mask and protective footwear as applicable.	Work aboard a small ship in a variety of ocean conditions.
Work at significant heights.	Work in bad / extreme weather.
Work in cold environments.	Work in hot / humid environments.
Work in loud / chaotic environments.

Inclusive & Accurate

Physical requirements avoid making unnecessary assumptions with words such as move as opposed to walk. However, physical requirements must plainly state when some specific physical capacity is required. For example, some tasks will require visual information to complete a task safely. This can be stated as "visually confirm." However, if a job requires an actual visual acuity score this can be stated directly.

Overview: Physical Requirements
Type	Physical Abilities
Definition	Specifications of the physical demands of a job, activity or task.
Best Practice #1	Avoid making assumptions about specific abilities -- stick to the physical demands of the task.
Best Practice #2	Use plain language, be direct, be honest -- avoid using cryptic language such as uncommon ways to say things.
Related Concepts	Physical Abilities » Plain Language »