Practice Exchange

Ilene Gast, Associate Editor

This column highlights innovative assessment programs of interest to assessment professionals. If you are conducting a project that would interest the ACN readers, or if you know someone who is, please let me hear from you. I can be reached by phone at (202) 305-0590, by fax at (202) 305-3664, or e-mail at IFGAST@AOL.COM.

Corrections Officer Ergonomic Job Analysis Completed

The Pennsylvania State Civil Service Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections completed an ergonomic job analysis of entry-level Corrections Officer positions. The study forms the foundation for the development and validation of physical ability tests, and the development of medical employment guidelines. The job analysis was conducted with consulting assistance from Doctor Deborah Gebhardt, President, Human Performance Systems.

The job analysis began with a review of studies conducted previously in Pennsylvania and in other jurisdictions. A preliminary task list was prepared. The list was edited and finalized based upon reviews by incumbents, interviews, and observations. Ergonomic data were collected during field visits. Questionnaire surveys were completed in group meetings. Accident and injury data were collected. An "abilities analysis" was conducted to identify required physical abilities. Overall, nearly 1,000 Corrections Officers participated in the study.

The study identified the essential tasks of the job, as well as the essential physically demanding tasks. The work performed by officers was found to be very similar, regardless of the race or sex of the officer.

The study found that the typical Corrections Officer carries about four pounds of equipment, needs to open and close gates and doors which require a typical force of 22 to 32 pounds, frequently works in areas with loud background noise (80 to 105 decibels), may work in very low light levels (down to three foot-candles), needs to observe at distances up to hundreds of feet, walks from four to five miles a day, and needs to differentiate many colors.

Nineteen percent (19%) of Corrections Officers who completed a job analysis questionnaire reported that they had been injured on-the-job in the past two years. The most frequent cause of the injury was a resistive inmate. The most frequent reported tasks performed when an officer was injured were "restraining, subduing, and/or separating inmates," searching an area of the institution, or walking (often on stairs).

The data from the job analysis, and a review of research on physical ability testing for Corrections Officers and related occupations, were used to select a battery of physical ability tests. Following is a list of the five physical abilities found to be most important for the performance of the essential physically demanding tasks, and eight tests to assess the abilities.

Required Physical Abilities and Tests to Assess the Abilities

Physical Ability	Tests
Static Strength	Hand Grip Arm Lift
Dynamic Strength	Arm Endurance
Trunk Strength	Sit-ups Trunk Pull
Anaerobic Power	Leg Endurance
Flexibility	Sit and Reach Twist and Touch

The physical ability tests were administered to a sample of Corrections Officers in the Fall of 1997 as part of a concurrent criterion-related test validation study. The test battery is expected to be finalized and available for use in the next few months.

A panel of medical specialists is using the job analysis information to develop medical guidelines for initial employment screening. To assist the medical specialists, the job task data was organized by ability, sensory, and perceptual categories; environmental and supplemental task data were provided; ergonomic data were summarized; and detailed accident and injury data were provided. Physicians are identifying the level and severity of diseases and conditions, by body system, which preclude the safe and effective performance of essential job tasks. The medical guidelines are expected to be completed in the next few months.

In Pennsylvania, this study is intended to serve as a model for similar studies of other occupations where medical employment guidelines or physical tests are needed. The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole plans to use the study methodology to develop medical employment guidelines for Parole Agents.

The Job Analysis Report is available for review. To receive the report, write to the Research Division, Bureau of Personnel Assessment, Pennsylvania State Civil Service Commission, P.O. Box 569, Harrisburg, PA 17108-0569; or the Bureau of Human Resources, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, 2520 Lisburn Road, P.O. Box 598, Camp Hill, PA 17001-0598.