About the Physical, Environmental, and Mental Demands Form
In
Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) Format
If you have the free version of Acrobat Reader, you can complete the
.PDF version of the PEM form on line, print it out, and send it via
campus mail (see Process Tips below).
If you have the full retail version of Adobe Acrobat (less than $100 from The Scholar's Workstation) you can complete the form on line, save it, attach it to an e-mail, and send it to the Office of Human Resources .
Mac Users: You must have "Adobe Acrobat Reader" to download and use the PDF version of this form. Instructions for downloading and installing Acrobat reader are available at http://hrweb.berkeley.edu/forms/formlist.htm . Be sure to use a .pdf file extension in the filename.
PDF
tips:
As
you scroll over the form, your cursor appears as a hand icon.
Move the hand icon to the any field and left-click to enable the
cursor.
Use the tab buttons to move from line to line.
Process tips:
- The PEM Demands form must be completed and sent with the Job Vacancy Listing and Job Description to Human Resources when listing a position. (See How to List Job Openings.)
- After you fill the position, file a copy of the completed PEM Demands form with the Job Description in the employee's personnel file.
Content tips:
This
form should describe the way the job is normally done, not specific
to an individual employee. To complete the PEM, consult with the
incumbent in the position or, if the position is vacant, with
a person who is either in a similar position or knows the type
of work.
To help you complete the PEM accurately, here are some helpful tips to follow regarding specific tasks. See below for Standard Definitions of Physical Activities.
Bending of the neck refers to looking up or down while twisting of the neck refers to looking back and forth.
Repetitive movement of the hand:
- "fine manipulation" (listed under repetitive hand movement) should include typing and ten-key use "simple grasping" refers to tasks/items which can be held with a loose grasp, hand not closed together and usually involves lighter items and not much force. Examples could include grasping a phone receiver, several small files at one time or easily rolling file drawer handles.
- "Power grasping" refers to tasks/items which require a clenched fist and some exertion. Examples would be a heavy banker’s box with built in handles, small hand tools requiring force to use or a handle to a mop.
Climbing can include ladders, stairs, scaffolding, etc., and should
be specified on the given line.
If you need any help or have any questions, please call 642-1914
or 642-8659.
Standard Definitions of Physical Activities
Sitting: Remaining in a normal seated position.
Walking: Moving by using the feet and taking alternate steps.
Standing: Remaining on one’s feet in an upright position at a work station without moving about. Arms and/or upper body may be in use.
Bending (neck): Angling the head forward and downward or upward.
Twisting (neck): To turn the head from side to side. Pivot point is the neck.
Bending (waist): To flex upper trunk forward with knees extended.
Twisting (waist): Turning the body partly around from a stationary position such as standing, sitting, kneeling or reclining. Pivot point is the waist.
Squatting: Bending the legs at the knees with pressure on the balls of the feet with buttocks resting on the back of the heels and/or back of the calves.
Climbing: To ascend or descend ladders, scaffolding, stairs, poles, inclined surfaces. Note if elevator available.
Kneeling: Bending the legs at the knees to come to rest on the knee(s).
Crawling: To move entire body along a surface with hip/knee flexion and arm extension/flexion.
Repetitive Hand movement: Repeated set of similar motions of the hand over a short period of time.
Simple grasping: Gripping an object with the hand- requires only the force to hold the object.
Power grasping: Same as above but requires additional force is being applied to the object grasped.
Fine manipulation: Use of the fingers independently, not the entire hand.
Pushing: To exert force on or against an object in order to move it away.
Pulling: To draw towards oneself, in a particular direction, or into a particular position.
Reaching above or below shoulder height: To position arms with any degree of elbow flexion; extending hand/arms away from body.
Move items: Most usually done by lifting and carrying but could also be pushing pulling.
Lifting: To exert physical strength necessary to move objects from one level to another.
Carrying: Transporting an object, usually holding it in the hands or arms or shoulders and moving the feet.
Repetitive foot movement: Repeated set of motions with the foot in a short period of time.