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Physical Demands Analysis – Rail Labourer (DP World)
April 2014
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Responsible for proper placement and removal of stackers on containers in order to
assist with cargo loading and unloading from rail cars. Description:
Essential Duties:
1. Locking and unlocking stackers on containers to assist with loading and loading of containers by Rubber
Tired Gantry (RTG) crane on rail cars.
a. Climbing on and off rail cars while carrying stackers
b. Placing and securing stackers on the top of containers as required for proper positioning of the
second level containers when loading rail cars.
c. Removal of stackers from the top of containers as required when unloading rail cars.
d. Communicating with RTG driver regarding status of containers as required.
Picture on Left: Sample stacker
Picture on Right: Rail Labourer
placing a stacker on a container
while weight bearing on the side
of a rail car.
Picture on Left: Platform on the
side of a sample rail car.
Picture on Right: Width of
platform on a sample rail car.
Job: Rail Labourer (DP World)
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Physical Demands Analysis – Rail Labourer (DP World)
April 2014
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Picture on Left: Overview of the
rail lanes.
Picture on Right: Ladder access on
a sample rail car.
Shift Schedule:
The work schedule of a Rail Labourer is 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (Day Shift) OR 4:30 pm to 1:00 am (Night Shift) OR
1:00 am to 8:00 am (Graveyard Shift) with two 15 minute and one 30 minute breaks, 5 shifts per week.
Graveyard shifts are available on an occasional basis depending on rail car loading and unloading schedules.
Workers are dispatched from the hall based on seniority.
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Physical Demands Analysis – Rail Labourer (DP World)
April 2014
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Description of Essential Job Duties:
1. Locking and unlocking stackers on containers to assist with loading and loading of containers
by Rubber Tired Gantry (RTG) crane on rail cars.
Frequency:
• The Rail Labourer positions and removes stackers from containers on rail cars continuously over
the course of a work shift.
• A quota of 300 containers are loaded and unloaded per shift; when a second tier container is
required, four stackers are positioned on each corner of the first tier container.
• There are two “gangs” assigned to a position and remove stackers (e.g., one gang assigned to
the west end and the other assigned to the east end of the rail). There are two Rail Labourers
assigned to each “gang”.
Equipment:
• The Rail Labourer uses the following equipment and supplies:
• Spike
• Stacker weighing 5 kg
• Radio
• Work van
• Personal Protective Equipment, which includes:
• Steel toe boots
• High visibility vest
• Gloves as required
Environmental/ Psychosocial Factors:
• The Rail Labourer completes majority of work duties near the rail cars in the terminal.
• As the work is completed primarily out of doors, the worker is exposed to natural light, outdoor
lighting, and the elements (e.g., rain, wind, direct sunlight, and occasionally snow). Work
temperature is affected by the weather.
• The worker encounters even and uneven terrains, slippery surfaces, low overhead clearance, fix
access ladders, stairs, and narrow walkways at height.
• Worker works within proximity of moving vehicle traffic (e.g., trucks and heavy equipment) and
rubber tired gantry.
Essential Job Demands:
The Rail Labourer is responsible for placing and removing stackers on containers while adhering to rail
car loading and unloading schedules. Each corner of a container is accessed via fix accessed ladder,
steps, and elevated narrow platform on the side of railcars. There Rail Labourer is required to ascend
and descend separate set of ladder and steps to access each corners of a container. Stackers are placed
and secured on the corners of the containers via a lever. At times, a spike is used to secure or align a
stacker. As required, the Rail Labourer communicates with the RTG driver regarding the positioning of
the containers or the foreman regarding the need for lubricant application on the stackers. Rail
Labourers typically complete work duties on one rail lane at a time.
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Physical Demands Analysis – Rail Labourer (DP World)
April 2014
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A Lifting Equipment Stacker; Spikes
Duration 2 to 3 minutes at a time
Frequency Frequent Force 5 kg
B Carrying Equipment Stackers
Duration 2 to 3 minutes at a time
Frequency Frequent Force 5 kg
C Pushing/Pulling Equipment Lever on stacker
Duration Intermittent Frequency Occasional Force Up to approximately light level of force
D Gripping/Handling Equipment Stacker
Duration 2 to 3 minutes at a time
Frequency Frequent Force N/A
Physical and Postural Demands:
Description:
Description:
Description:
• Lifting up to a light load between floor and shoulder level on a frequent basis.
• Lifting to above shoulder level is intermittently encountered.
• Lifting is interspersed with carrying.
• Unilateral carrying on a frequent basis.
• Carrying concurrently with ladder or stair climbing or ambulation on narrow platform is
encountered.
• Carrying while ambulating on slippery sections or even or uneven terrain is encountered.
• Unilateral pushing of a lever is required for securing or removing stackers.
• Pushing is encountered while weight bearing on narrow platform and at height.
• At times, a larger force is required to push a lever, depending on the orientation and alignment
of the stacker. As required, the Rail Labourer would contact the foreman to apply lubrication to
the stacker.
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Physical Demands Analysis – Rail Labourer (DP World)
April 2014
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E Sitting Equipment Work van
Duration Up to 5 to 10 minutes at a time
Frequency Rare Force N/A
F Driving Equipment Work van
Duration Up to 5 to 10 minutes at a time
Frequency Rare Force N/A
G Standing Equipment Rail cars; Rail lanes
Duration Interspersed with walking and climbing throughout the work shift.
Frequency Frequent Force N/A
H
Walking Equipment Rail cars; Rail lanes
Duration Intersperse with standing and climbing throughout the work shift.
Frequency Frequent Force N/A
Description:
Description:
Description:
Description:
Description:
• Unilateral gripping or handling of stackers on a frequent basis.
• Gripping is also encountered when climbing on fixed access ladders.
• Increased gripping force is required when aligning the stackers on the containers.
• Walking is interspersed with standing and climbing throughout the work shift.
• Walking on even and uneven terrains, narrow platforms (e.g., 11” wide) and at heights are
encountered.
• Dynamic standing is interspersed with walking and climbing throughout the work shift.
• Weight bearing on even or uneven terrains, stairs, ladders, and at height are encountered.
• Driving of work van with automatic transmission is encountered on rare occasions. Typically,
driving is completed by the Checker rather than the Rail Labourer.
• Sitting is encountered on rare occasions when sitting in the work van as a passenger to access
the rail lanes from the lunch rooms as required.
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Physical Demands Analysis – Rail Labourer (DP World)
April 2014
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I Bending/Stooping Equipment N/A
Duration Intermittent Frequency Occasional Force N/A
J Twisting/Spinal Mobility Equipment N/A
Duration Intermittent Frequency Rare Force N/A
K Low Level Postures/Crouching/Kneeling Equipment N/A
Duration Intermittent Frequency Occasional Force N/A
L Climbing Equipment Ladders; Steps
Duration Approximately 30 seconds at a time
Frequency Frequent Force N/A
M Balancing Equipment Ladder; Stairs; Side of rail cars
Description:
Description:
Description:
Description:
• Frequent stairs and ladder climbing are encountered when accessing rail cars.
• Grab bars are available when climbing on ladders.
• There are four to five different rail cars at the terminal. Sample climbing heights on ladders are
between 48 cm and 53 cm high per step. It should be noted that height of steps are variable
depending on the type of rail car.
• Stair or ladder climbing is encountered concurrently with load handling (e.g., stacker).
• Intermittent mild to severe stooping is encountered when ambulating on rail cars with low
overhead clearance (e.g., extension from the second tier container).
• The severity of stooping required will vary depending on the worker’s height.
• Dynamic twisting or side bending is encountered on rare occasions when ambulating on rail car
with low overhead clearance.
• Crouching is encountered for brief periods at a time when locking containers.
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Physical Demands Analysis – Rail Labourer (DP World)
April 2014
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Duration Throughout the entirety of a work shift.
Frequency Continuous Loads N/A
N Throwing Equipment N/A
Duration Not required Frequency Not required Loads N/A
O Reaching Equipment N/A
Duration Variable Frequency Frequent Force N/A
P Neck Movements Equipment N/A
Duration Intermittent Frequency Frequent Force N/A
Description:
Description:
Description:
• Usual two foot base of support is required throughout the work shift.
• Balancing on ladders, steps, narrow platforms, and at height is required on a frequent basis
when accessing rail cars.
• Working at height without external support is encountered when accessing the containers.
• Throwing is not a critical job demand.
• Unilateral or bilateral reaching at below shoulder level up to a frequent basis when handling
stackers.
• Short duration of above shoulder reaching either unilaterally or bilaterally on an occasional basis
when climbing ladders or securing stackers.
• Reaching is primarily dynamic.
• Reaching is completed mainly within inner range; however, outer range reaching may be
encountered.
Description:
• Dynamic movements requiring flexion, extension, and side to side rotation are required on a
frequent basis when viewing the work environment.
• Intermittent breaks from neck posturing demands are available for postural re-calibration.
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Physical Demands Analysis – Rail Labourer (DP World)
April 2014
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Functional Demands with MSI Potential
Rail Labourer
• Frequent climbing on and off ladders while handling a stacker.
• Ambulation on narrow platform and at height without external support.
• Working in proximity to moving vehicle traffic and RTG.
Strategies to Minimize MSI
Rail Labourer
Overall Strength Category: Light Strength Capacity
• Throughout a work shift, it is recommended that the Rail Labourer periodically completes
stretches.
• Avoid ambulation or climbing at an increased pace.
• Step on and off the rail car cautiously and in a controlled manner to minimize excessively stress
to the knees and to maintain equilibrium.
NOTE:
“limited”, refers to NOC guidelines – Handling loads up to 11 lbs.
“light”, refers to NOC guidelines – Handling loads between 11-22 lbs.
“medium”, refers to NOC guidelines – Handling loads between 22 – 44 lbs.
“heavy”, refers to NOC guidelines – Handling loads greater than 44 lbs.
“continuous”, refers to activities that are, on a cumulative basis, performed for 67-100% of the work day “frequent”, refers to activities that are, on a cumulative basis, performed for 33-66% of the work day
“occasional”, refers to activities that are, on a cumulative basis, performed for 0-33% of the work day
“mild stooping” – flexion at the hip/waist up to approximately 20°; “moderate stooping” – flexion at the hip/waist between
approximately 20°& 45°; “severe stooping” – flexion at the hip/waist greater than approximately 45°
“inner-range reaching” within a forearm’s reach; “outer-range reaching” the arm extends away from the body
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Physical Demands Analysis – Rail Labourer (DP World)
April 2014
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Job Demands
Max.
Weig
ht
(kgs)
Durati
on
per
exp
osu
re h
=hrs
s=
secs,
m=
min
s
Frequ
en
cy
Comments
Lifting/
Carrying
5 kg 2 to 3 min F Lifting and carrying of 5 kg stacker is repetitively encountered.
Pushing/Pulling O Unilateral or bilateral pushing of stacker lever requiring up to
approximately light level of force is encountered.
Supporting Body Weight
F When climbing ladder to access rail car.
Gripping / Handling 2 to 3 min F When climbing on ladder and/or handling stacker.
ST
RE
NG
TH
Fine Motor Skills N
Sitting 5 to 10 mins
R When sitting in work van as a passenger or driver.
Driving 5 to 10
mins R When driving a work van to access rail lanes.
Standing F Weight bearing on even or uneven terrains, stairs, or ladders, or at height
are encountered.
Walking F Walking on even or uneven terrains, stairs, or ladders, or at height are
encountered.
Bending/Stooping O When accessing rail cars with low overhead clearance.
Sustained
Crouching/
Kneeling
O Intermittent crouching is encountered when locking containers.
Climbing Stairs 30 sec O Stair climbing interspersed with walking and ladder climbing throughout
the work shift.
Climbing Ladders 30 sec F Frequent ladder climbing interspersed with walking and stair climbing
throughout the work shift.
Balancing C When weight bearing on various terrains, stairs, or ladder.
Throwing N
PO
ST
UR
E &
M
OBILIT
Y
Overhead Reach O Short duration of above shoulder reaching either unilaterally or bilaterally when climbing ladder or securing stackers
Exposure to Elements C
Uneven Surfaces O
Proximity to
moving objects
O Vehicular traffic and RTG may be encountered.
Vibration
(Upper extremity)
N
EN
VIR
ON
ME
NT
Vibration
(whole body)
N
Physical Demands Summary Table
Frequency Ratings
N: Never
R: Rare - Not daily or up to 1% of shift (<5mins/day)
O: Occasional - 1%-33% of shift (up to 2.5hrs)
F: Frequent - 34%-67% of shift (2.5-5hrs)
C: Constant ->67% of shift (>5hrs)
\
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Physical Demands Analysis – Rail Labourer (DP World)
April 2014
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Considerations for return to work programming:
• Worker needs to demonstrate the ability to ascend and descend stairs and ladders prior to
initiation of return to work.
• Initial return to work attempts as an extra worker to allow for extra breaks concurrently with a
graduated return to work should be considered.
