IV. PHYSICAL DEMANDS - STRENGTH RATING (Strength)
The Physical Demands Strength Rating reflects the estimated overall strength requirement of the job, expressed
in terms of the letter corresponding to the particular strength rating. It represents the strength requirements
which are considered to be important for average, successful work performance.
The strength rating is expressed by one of five terms: Sedentary, Light, Medium, Heavy, and Very Heavy. In
order to determine the overall rating, an evaluation is made of the worker's involvement in the following activities:
a. Standing, Walking, Sitting
Standing - Remaining on one's feet in an upright position at a work station with-out moving about.
Walking - Moving about on foot.
Sitting - Remaining in a seated position.
b. Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, Pulling
Lifting - Raising or lowering an object from one level to another (includes upward pulling).
Carrying - Transporting an object, usually holding it in the hands or arms, or on the shoulder.
Pushing - Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away from the force (includes
slapping, striking, kicking, and treadle actions).
Pulling - Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves toward the force (includes jerking).
Lifting, pushing, and pulling are evaluated in terms of both intensity and duration. Consideration is
given to the weight handled, position of the worker's body, and the aid given by helpers or mechanical
equipment. Carrying most often is evaluated in terms of duration, weight carried, and distance carried.
Estimating the Strength factor rating for an occupation requires the exercise of care on the part of occupational
analysts in evaluating the force and physical effort a worker must exert. For instance, if the worker is in a
crouching position, it may be much more difficult to push an object than if pushed at waist height. Also, if the
worker is required to lift and carry continuously or push and pull objects over long distances, the worker may
exert as much physical effort as is required to similarly move objects twice as heavy, but less frequently and/or
over shorter distances.
c. Controls
Controls entail the use of one or both arms or hands (hand/arm) and/or one or both feet or legs (foot/leg) to move
controls on machinery or equipment. Controls include but are not limited to buttons, knobs, pedals, levers, and
cranks.
Following are descriptions of the five terms in which the Strength Factor is expressed:
S-Sedentary Work - Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up
to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3
to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work
involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary
if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
L-Light Work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or
a negligible amount of force constantly (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move
objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight
lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing
to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm
or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing
and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress
and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically
demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.
M-Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently,
and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand
requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.
H-Heavy Work - Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently,
and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of
those for Medium Work.
V-Very Heavy Work - Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of
force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand
requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work.
V. GUIDE FOR OCCUPATIONAL EXPLORATION (GOE)
Many youths and other jobseekers are unprepared for an effective job search because of a lack of knowledge
about the kinds of jobs to look for. They have difficulty relating their interest, skills, and potentials to appropriate
occupations. To be effective, vocational counselors must have sufficient information to match an individual's
interest, temperaments, potential ability and other personal traits to specific career fields and work requirements.
The Guide for Occupational Exploration was designed by the US Employment Service to provide career
counselors and other DOT users with additional information about the interests, aptitudes, entry level preparation
and other traits required for successful performance in various occupations. The GOE is also useful in
self-assessment and counselor-assisted settings to help people understand themselves realistically in regard
to their ability to meet job requirements. Descriptive information provided for each work group assists the
individual in evaluating his or her own interests and relating them to pertinent fields of work.
The GOE code assigned to a definition provides a link between the occupation defined and the GOE
arrangement of occupations with similar interests, aptitudes, adaptability requirements, and other descriptors.
The GOE coding structure classifies jobs at three levels of consideration. The first level divides occupations
according to twelve interest areas corresponding to interest factors identified through research conducted by the
former Division of Testing in the US Employment Service. The interest factors, identified by a two-digit code, are
defined in terms of broad interest requirements of occupations as well as vocational interests of individuals. The
twelve interest areas are defined as follows:
01 Artistic 05 Mechanical 09 Accommodating
02 Scientific 06 Industrial 10 Humanitarian
03 Plants-Animals 07 Business Detail 11 Leading-Influencing
04 Protective 08 Selling 12 Physical Performing
The interest areas are then subdivided into work groups (the second set of two digits within the six-digit GOE
code). Each work group contains occupations requiring similar worker traits and capabilities in related work
settings. The GOE contains descriptive information for each work group and identifies each occupation in the
group with a four-digit code and title. In many interest areas, occupations that require the most education,
training, and experience are in the first group, while those requiring less formal education or experience are listed
in the last group.
Work groups are then subdivided into subgroups (the third two-digit set in the GOE code) of occupations with
even more homogeneous interests, aptitudes, and adaptability requirements. Each subgroup is identified by
its unique six-digit code and title. Individual occupations are listed alphabetically within subgroups. Some
subgroups contain occupations from more than one industry, listed within alphabetized industries.