Development of a physical employment standard for a branch of the UK military. Issue 12 (2nd December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Treweek, Anthony J.; Tipton, Michael J.; Milligan, Gemma S.
• Is Part Of: Ergonomics. Volume 62:Issue 12(2019)
• Page Start: 1572
• Page End: 1584
• Publication Date: 2019-12-02
• Subjects: Critical tasks -- physiological demands -- direct task simulations -- minimum standard -- method of best practice; Human engineering -- Periodicals; Cybernetics -- Periodicals; Industrial management -- Periodicals; Ergonomie -- Périodiques; Cybernétique -- Périodiques; Gestion d'entreprise -- Périodiques; 620.8205
• DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2019.1663271
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-0139

Abstract

Abstract: A Physical Employment Standard (PES) was developed for the British Royal Air Force Regiment (RAF Regt). Twenty-nine RAF Regt personnel completed eight critical tasks wearing Combat Equipment Fighting Order (31.5 kg) while being monitored for physical and perceptual effort. A PES was developed using task simulations, measured on 61 incumbents. The resultant PES consists of: 1) a battlefield test involving task simulations: single lift and point-of-entry (psss/fail); timed elements (react to effective enemy fire and crawl) set at 95th performance percentile; casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) casualty drag and CASEVAC simulated stretcher carry completed without stopping. 2) a Multi Stage Fitness Test level 9.10 to assess aerobic fitness to complete a tactical advance to battle. The task-based PES should ensure RAF Regt personnel have a baseline level of fitness to perform and withstand the physical demands of critical tasks to at least a minimum acceptable standard. Practitioner summary: A Physical Employment Standard (PES) was developed for the British RAF Regiment by measuring the physiological demands of critical tasks on a representative cohort of incumbent personnel. A task-based PES should ensure that only those candidates, irrespective of gender, race or disability, with the necessary physical attributes to succeed in training and beyond, are selected.