Current considerations related to physiological differences between the sexes and physical employment standards.
The use of physical employment standards (PES) has helped ensure that workers have the physical attributes necessary to complete their jobs in a safe and efficient manner. However, PES used in the selection processes have not always reflected the critical physical requirements of the job tasks. Women generally have smaller anthropometric stature than men, less muscle mass, and therefore less strength, power, and endurance, particularly in the upper body. Nonetheless, these attributes in themselves are not valid grounds for exclusion from employment in physically demanding occupations. Selection standards based upon size or strength, irrespective of the job requirements, have resulted in the barring of capable women from physically demanding jobs, claims of gender bias, and costly litigations. To ensure all individuals are provided with equal access to employment, accurate characterization of the critical physical requirements of the job is paramount. This paper summarizes the existing research related to disparities between the sexes that contribute to sex differences in job performance in physically demanding occupations including physical and legal factors. Strategies for mitigating these differences in the setting of PES and the meeting of minimum employment standards are discussed. Where available, injury rates for women and men in physically demanding occupations are presented and the etiology considered. Finally, areas for further research are identified.
a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM), School of University Arts and Sciences, Selkirk College, 2808 9th Ave., Castlegar, BC VIN 2Z1, Canada.
Delia
D
Roberts
b Human Performance Systems Inc., 5000 Sunnyside Avenue, Suite 203, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
Deborah L
DL
Gebhardt
c Health and Human Performance Department - Exercise Science, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.
Steven E
SE
Gaskill
d Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance, US Army Public Health Command, Blackhawk Rd., Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA.
Tanja C
TC
Roy
e Military Performance Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, 42 General Green Ave., Natick, MA 01760-5007, USA.
Marilyn A
MA
Sharp
D004651:Employment / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000592:standards*; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000592:standards; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012737:Sex Factors; D016526:Workload / Q000592:standards
accident du travail; différences sexuelles; job-task performance; normes de sélection; normes physiques relatives à l’emploi; occupational injury; performance au travail; performance d’exécution des tâches; physical employment standards; physical screening; physical selection; selection standards; sex differences; sélection basée sur le physique; work performance; évaluation physique