Physical Demands Analysis
Objective, on-site assessments to support hiring, accommodation, and return to work across Ontario and Québec
Conducted by Ergonomists
NMSO Listed Provider
OPS Security Clearance
English & French Services
WSIB & Legal Documentation
What is a Physical Demands Analysis?
A physical demands analysis (PDA), also referred to as a Job Demands Analysis (JDA), is a detailed, objective assessment of the physical and cognitive requirements of a specific job role. Conducted on-site by an ergonomist, it produces a comprehensive, defensible document that captures exactly what a job physically requires: the forces, postures, frequencies, durations, and environmental conditions a worker is exposed to during their regular duties.
A physical demands analysis is not a one-size-fits-all checklist; it is a precise, job-specific evaluation that provides the evidence base your organization needs to make safe, legally compliant, and medically informed decisions about your workforce.
What's included in a physical demands analysis?
Each assessment includes an on-site visit and results in a comprehensive report. The process involves:
Interviews with employees, supervisors, or managers to understand the full scope of the role
Measurement and documentation of essential job tasks
Quantification of physical demands such as:
Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling, with weights and frequencies
Reaching, climbing, and walking distances
Required postures, force levels, and sustained positions
Cognitive and sensory demands where applicable
High-quality photographs of job tasks, workstations, and equipment
A detailed electronic report summarizing all findings in a format accepted by WSIB, insurers, and healthcare providers
How the physical demands analysis process works?
STEP 1 : Consultation & scoping
We discuss your organization's needs, the roles to be assessed, and any specific documentation requirements (WSIB, legal, HR).
STEP 2 : On-site assessment
An ergonomist visits your facility to observe, measure, and document the physical demands of each job role.
STEP 3 : Employee & supervisor interviews
We gather first-hand insight from the people performing and overseeing the role to ensure the analysis is complete and accurate.
STEP 4 : Comprehensive report delivery
You receive a detailed electronic report with photographs, measurements, and findings, ready for HR, medical, legal, or WSIB use.
Why a physical demands analysis matters for your organization?
A physical demands analysis is one of the most versatile and high-value documents an employer can have on file. It supports your organization across multiple functions:
Return-to-work planning: Supports modified duties planning and safe reintegration of injured or ill workers by providing clear physical benchmarks for each role.
Job matching : Aligns specific job requirements with a worker's current abilities or limitations, including post-injury functional capacity.
WSIB documentation : Provides objective, defensible documentation for WSIB claim adjudication, accommodation decisions, and dispute resolution.
Injury prevention : Identifies ergonomic risk factors inherent to the job role and informs targeted interventions to reduce injury rates.
Hiring & recruitment : Enables accurate, legally defensible job postings and pre-employment screening criteria based on objective physical requirements.
Accommodation support : Helps disability management specialists identify meaningful accommodations and supports duty-to-accommodate compliance under the OHRC.
Who should request a physical demands analysis?
Human Resources teams
Return-to-work coordinators
Disability management specialists
Health & safety managers
Legal & compliance teams
Operations managers
Whether you're in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, government, or a corporate office environment, a physical demands analysis from Injury Prevention Plus provides the clarity and confidence your team needs to make informed, legally compliant decisions about your workforce.
Physical demands analysis in Ontario
In Ontario, physical demands analyses are frequently required for WSIB return-to-work programs, Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) accommodation processes, and compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Injury Prevention Plus is experienced in producing PDA documentation that meets the specific standards expected by Ontario employers, WSIB adjudicators, and healthcare providers.
Physical demands analysis service areas
We proudly serve clients across Ontario and Québec, offering both English and French services. Our certified ergonomists are available for on-site assessments at your facility:
Ottawa – Supporting federal and provincial agencies, healthcare organizations, and technology sector employers across the capital region.
Toronto – Serving corporate offices, industrial sites, healthcare facilities, and public institutions across the GTA
Gatineau – Providing fully bilingual physical demands analysis services to government and private sector clients across the Outaouais region.
Oakville & Mississauga – Supporting growing businesses, logistics centres, and regional employers in the Halton and Peel regions.
Hamilton – Partnering with manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare organizations across the city and the surrounding area.
Government partnerships & procurement
Injury Prevention Plus is a trusted provider of physical demands analysis services for government organizations across Ontario and Québec. We are listed on the National Master Standing Offer (NMSO) and hold Ontario Public Service (OPS) security clearance, allowing us to work directly with provincial ministries, federal agencies, and public sector organizations.Our bilingual delivery capability and experience with government procurement standards make us a reliable partner for organizations with complex workforce and accommodation needs. Contact us to schedule an assessment or request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
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A physical demands analysis is an objective, on-site assessment conducted by a certified ergonomist that documents the specific physical and cognitive requirements of a job role.
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A physical demands analysis (PDA) and a job demands analysis (JDA) are terms that are used interchangeably. Both refer to the same type of assessment of what a job physically and cognitively needs. The term may vary, but the methodology and output are the same.
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In Ontario, a physical demands analysis is commonly required when managing a WSIB return-to-work claim, developing modified duty plans for injured workers, fulfilling duty-to-accommodate obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC), or establishing defensible physical requirements for job postings and pre-employment screening.
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The duration of the on-site visit depends on the complexity of the role and the number of positions being assessed. A single role assessment typically takes two to four hours on-site. The comprehensive written report is delivered electronically following the visit.
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Yes. A physical demands analysis done by a certified ergonomist is accepted by WSIB for claim adjudication, return-to-work planning, and accommodation documentation. Injury Prevention Plus produces PDA reports to meet WSIB and insurer expectations.
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Yes. A PDA provides documented physical requirements for a role that can be used in job postings and becomes the basis for pre-employment screening criteria. This ensures hiring decisions are based on occupational requirements, in compliance with the OHRC.
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Yes. Injury Prevention Plus provides fully bilingual physical demands analysis services in English and French, making the service accessible for organizations in Gatineau, Québec, and bilingual workplaces across the National Capital Region.
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We conduct physical demands analyses across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, logistics and warehousing, healthcare, government, construction, technology, and corporate office environments.
Book a Physical Demands Analysis
Ensure your job descriptions are accurate, compliant, and ergonomically sound.