A physical and cognitive demands Analysis (PDA/CDA) is a detailed description of the activity and cognitive requirements of a job. A PDA/CDA is used to provide information:
- to allow doctors to assess return-to-work offers for injured workers
- to allow the WSIB to evaluate claims or assess return-to-work options
- to allow employers and ergonomists to review the suitability of a specific job for a specific injured worker
- to assist rehab therapists in designing effective treatment plans
- to train new workers
- A quantitative and visual assessment. We measure forces, heights, reaches, and movement frequencies and durations, and we provide a photograph for each task to allow the reader to quickly understand the job.
- A validated report. Your management and worker representatives will review the report, ensuring that the report accurately represents the job. (A second ergonomist also reviews it in our office for quality control.)
- A report that links demands to tasks. If you need to make accommodations, you can clearly see which tasks are associated with which activities. A checklist cannot accomplish this.