Objective: To develop a systematic task analysis process for determination of minimum
acceptable job performance in arduous safety-related occupations.

Methods: A task analysis
using modifications on established methods was completed in UK firefighters. Subject-matter
experts (all male) identified critical, physically arduous tasks generic to all UK firefighters
and developed individual, role-specific task simulations. Video footage and blinded voting
were used to determine minimum acceptable task performance.

Results: Eight tasks were
identified in combination with role-specific variations, task simulations suitable for use in a
physical demands analysis and corresponding minimum acceptable performance.

Conclusions: The bespoke steps highlighted here allow structured identification of taskspecific minimum performance standards and simulations from which physical employment
standards could be based. However, including a more divergent expert panel with respect to
age, sex and race would strengthen the applicability of this framework in future practice.