Manual and Finger Dexterity from the O*NET

We look at the question of dexterity -- because qualitative use of the hands matters.  The electronic files of the SCO provide a numerical ranking for motor coordination, manual dexterity, and finger dexterity.  The question is whether we can put our hands and fingers on better, more recent data.  The O*NET OnLine provides rankings for manual and finger dexterity on an importance scale and a level scale.

The O*NET uses the working definition of finger dexterity as:

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

The O*NET uses the working definition of manual dexterity as:

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

All the work abilities "important" reports use a five category scale:

Not Important
Somewhat Important
Important
Very Important
Extremely Important

The O*NET provides a list of level scale anchors.  The work abilities "level" scale gives examples of the competence needed to function.  The work abilities level reports for finger dexterity use the markers on a 100 point scale:

29 - Put coins in a parking meter
57 - Attach small knobs to stereo equipment on an assembly line
86 - Put together the inner workings of a small wrist watch

The work abilities level reports for manual dexterity use markers on a 100 point scale:

14 - Screw in a light bulb into a light socket
57 - Pack oranges in creates as quickly as possible
100 - perform open heart surgery with surgical instruments

These level definitions give tools for examining the claimant and comparison to the demands of work as described by incumbents or analysts -- the two data sources for the O*NET.

Example form Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers (SOC 51-9061.00): 

39		Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. Screw a light bulb into a light socket Pack oranges in crates as quickly as possible Perform open heart surgery with surgical instruments