The Department of Labor Uses a DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles), to determine what work classification to assign to particular jobs. Work classifications include sedentary work, light work, medium work, heavy work and very heavy work. Workers will be assigned to a particular work classification depending on their physical restrictions. For example, sedentary workers can only exert up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally (a third of the time). Light workers can exert up to 20 lbs. occasionally, medium workers 20-50 lbs., heavy workers 50-100 and heavy worker can exert over 100 lbs. occasionally.
The DOT jobs database looks at various categories of works such as clerical work. It sub-categorizes each field of work until it gets to a particular job. When it gets to a particular job it defines the job, the tasks and skills needed to do the job and sets forth other information about the job. General work categories include:
- Professional, technical and managerial
- Clerical and Sales,
- Service Occupations
- Agriculture, Fishery, Forestry, and Related Occupations
- Processing Occupations
- Machine Trades Occupations
- Benchwork Occupations
- Structural Work Occupations
- Miscellaneous Occupations
More specifically, legal secretaries (as an example) are defined as “Prepares legal papers and correspondence of legal nature, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas, using typewriter, word processor, or personal computer. May review law journals and other legal publications to identify court decisions pertinent to pending cases and submit articles to company officials.”
One of the bits of information the DOT job details includes is the work classification for the job. Because a legal secretary doesn’t have to do much physical work other than sit, open and close books and type, legal secretaries are rated S for Sedentary. This information is useful because workers generally should be reassigned, if they can’t do their former job, to work with the same physical classification. The other details of the DOT definitions will be used to help the vocational rehabilitation professional decide if the injured work who can work with restrictions (according to a doctor) can really do new work. Workers should have similar skills in addition to having similar physical abilities to be ready for a new job.
North Carolina Injured Worker Lawyer, Joe Miller Esq., has represented all Types of Workers
If the company doctor is forcing you back to work before you are ready, you need the help of an experienced North Carolina or Virginia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer. Our firm knows your medical options and will advise you before you return to work or settle your claim. Please give us a call at Joe Miller Law at 888-694-1671 and ask for me, Joe Miller, or email me at jmiller@joemillerinjurylaw.com
