West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 85 - Workers' Compensation › Title 85 - PROCEDURAL RULE WORKERS' COMPENSATION RULES OF THE WEST VIRGINIA INSURANCE COMMISSIONER › Series 85-20 - Medical Management Of Claims, Guidelines For Impairment Evaluations, Evidence, And Ratings, And Ranges Of Permanent Partial Disability Awards › Appendix Section 85-20-F

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
The Physical Demands Strength Rating, as defined in the
				  Dictionary of Occupational Titles, is expressed by one of five terms:
				  Sedentary, Light, Medium, Heavy and Very Heavy. In order to determine the
				  overall rating, the injured worker's abilities in the following activities must
				  be considered: Standing, Walking, Sitting, Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, Pulling
				  and Controls operation.
Standing means remaining on one's feet in an upright
				  position at a work station without moving about.
Walking means moving about on foot.
Sitting means remaining in a seated position.
Lifting means raising or lowering an object from one level
				  to another (includes upward pulling).
Carrying means transporting an object, usually holding it in
				  the hands or arms, or on the shoulder.
Pushing means exerting force upon an object so that the
				  object moves away from the force (includes slapping, striking, kicking and
				  treadle actions).
Pulling means 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.
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.
Occasionally means an activity or condition exists up to one
				  third (1/3) of the time.
Frequently means an activity or condition exists from
				  one-third (1/3) up to two- thirds (2/3) of the time.
Constantly means an activity or condition exists two-thirds
				  (2/3) or more of the time.
Sedentary Work - Exerting up to 10 pounds of force
				  occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently 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.
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 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.