Reasoning Level 2, Not Repetitive and Yes, Still Skilled Work

We discussed the finding of reasoning level 2 work with a temperament for repetitive work activity as skilled work and therefore not simple repetitive work.  The DOT lists another 14 occupations that have the designation of reasoning level 2, do not have the temperament for repetitive work, and are SVP 5 and 6 -- skilled work.  The 14 occupations:

DOT Code	DOT Name
378.684-022	INFANTRY INDIRECT FIRE CREWMEMBER
502.664-018	STEEL-POURER HELPER
514.582-010	VACUUM CASTER
575.684-026	GATHERER
619.484-010	ORNAMENTAL-METAL-WORKER HELPER
720.684-014	PHONOGRAPH-CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLER
732.684-118	SKI REPAIRER, PRODUCTION
774.384-010	INSPECTOR II
805.664-010	BOILERMAKER HELPER II
842.684-014	DRY-WALL APPLICATOR
863.664-010	BLOWER INSULATOR
951.685-014	FIRER, LOW PRESSURE
952.687-014	SUBSTATION-OPERATOR HELPER
962.687-022	GRIP

Like the list of R2 repetitive occupations, none of these occupations have a significant need to deal with people so that is not the reason for their skilled classification. Inspector II has a significant worker function for data, compiling:

3 Compiling: Gathering, collating, or classifying information about data, people, or things. Reporting and/or carrying out a prescribed action in relation to the information is frequently involved.

That "3" is the fourth digit in the data-people-things cluster. These occupations require significant worker functions with things, mostly "4" with one each of 2, 5, and 7. From Appendix B of the DOT:

2 Operating-Controlling: Starting, stopping, controlling, and adjusting the progress of machines or equipment. Operating machines involves setting up and adjusting the machine or material(s) as the work progresses. Controlling involves observing gauges, dials, etc., and turning valves and other devices to regulate factors such as temperature, pressure, flow of liquids, speed of pumps, and reactions of materials.

4 Manipulating: Using body members, tools, or special devices to work, move, guide, or place objects or materials. Involves some latitude for judgment with regard to precision attained and selecting appropriate tool, object, or material, although this is readily manifest.

5 Tending: Starting, stopping, and observing the functioning of machines and equipment. Involves adjusting materials or controls of the machine, such as changing guides, adjusting timers and temperature gauges, turning valves to allow flow of materials, and flipping switches in response to lights. Little judgment is involved in making these adjustments.

7 Handling: Using body members, handtools, and/or special devices to work, move, or carry objects or materials. Involves little or no latitude for judgment with regard to attainment of standards or in selecting appropriate tool, object, or materials.

These worker functions implicate the SSA definition of skilled work:

Skilled work requires qualifications in which a person uses judgment to determine the machine and manual operations to be performed in order to obtain the proper form, quality, or quantity of material to be produced. Skilled work may require laying out work, estimating quality, determining the suitability and needed quantities of materials, making precise measurements, reading blueprints or other specifications, or making necessary computations or mechanical adjustments to control or regulate the work. Other skilled jobs may require dealing with people, facts, or figures or abstract ideas at a high level of complexity.

Infantry indirect fire crewman is the only occupation that requires a temperament for working under stress. It also requires exercising judgment. Including the infantry crewman occupation, 12 of the 14 reasoning level 2 non-repetitive occupations require the exercise of judgment as a temperament. Ten of those occupations require the temperament for attaining precise set limits and tolerances. The remaining two occupations (boiler maker II and grip) require the temperament for performing a variety of duties.

The three key temperaments of use of judgment, attaining set limits, and performing a variety of tasks are defined in the Revised Handbook for Analyzing Jobs (Dept. of Labor 1991) as:

Performing a VARIETY of Duties: Involves frequent changes of tasks involving different aptitudes, technologies, techniques, procedures, working conditions, physical demands, or degrees of attentiveness without loss of efficiency or composure. The involvement of the worker in two or more work fields may be a clue that this temperament is required.

Attaining Precise Set Limits, TOLERANCES, and Standards: Involves adhering to and achieving exact levels of performance, using precision measuring instruments, tools, and machines to attain precise dimensions; preparing exact verbal and numerical records; and complying with precise instruments and specifications for materials, methods, procedures, and techniques to attain specified standards. 

Making JUDGMENTS and Decisions: Involves solving problems, making evaluations, or reaching conclusions based on subjective or objective criteria, such as the five senses, knowledge, past experiences, or quantifiable or factual data.

Performing a variety of tasks, attaining precise set limits, and making judgments are quintessentially inconsistent with a limitation to simple repetitive or routine tasks. Next we will look at unskilled occupations that share these temperaments with the same question, are they simple repetitive or routine tasks.

Addresser and Simple, Routine, Repetitive Work

Assume simple, routine or simple, repetitive tasks in a sedentary residual functional capacity.  A favorite among vocational experts is occupation of addresser.  The DOT describes the occupation:

DOT Narrative: 209.587-010 ADDRESSER (clerical) alternate titles: addressing clerk; envelope addresser Addresses by hand or typewriter, envelopes, cards, advertising literature, packages, and similar items for mailing. May sort mail.
GOE: 07.07.02 STRENGTH: S GED: R2 M1 L2 SVP: 2 DLU: 77

O*NET URL: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-9022.00
DOT-O*NET Crosswalk: https://www.onetonline.org/crosswalk/DOT?s=209.587-010&g=GO

 The reasoning level 2 code is typically the high watermark for simple that requires no explanation  The trailer contains the GOE code as well that is explained in the DOT and the SCO.  Appendix C of the DOT informs that the first two digits "07" refer to business detail.  The GOE description in the SCO describes the first four digits "07.07" as:

Occupations in this group are concerned with relatively routine clerical duties, such as filing, sorting, copying, routing, or delivering letters, packages, or messages, that require little special training or skill. Skills and abilities required include: Doing clerical tasks that require limited special skills; following simple instructions; doing routine, repetitive work; cooperating with others; and reading or copying information without errors.

That phrase embedded in the description implies that the occupations in that category are simple, routine, and repetitive.  The list of clerical tasks includes (1) limited special skills; (2) cooperating with others; and (3) reading and copying information without errors.  Of the 40 DOT codes on the list, 22 are unskilled and 19 of that 22 carry a reasoning level 2 designation.  The second task statement is not all encompassing but provides cover for the wayward vocational expert.  

Using that same narrative and the other three components of the task set do provide a basis for raising unresolved apparent conflict with the SCO.  Cooperating with others requires interaction with others.  The SRT limitation typically has a social component that finds a leverage point based on the need for cooperation in the workplace.  Reading and copying information without errors eliminates the off-task limitation of even small proportions.  

Q:  Assume the person described is off-task 5% of the day.  Could the person work as an addresser?

A:  Absolutely.  That is less than the tolerance of any reasonable employer. 

Q:  If the employer received back 5% of the envelopes, cards, advertising literature, packages, and similar items handled by the person, would that person be able to sustain employment?

A misspelled name, bad address, bad zip code all lead to either the return of the item by the carrier or an upset/annoyed customer.  This work requires attention to detail  Addressers carry the data code (4th digit) of 5, defined in Appendix B as copying.  The electronic files (reported in WestLaw, Occu Collect, and Job Sleuth and probably others) report that this function is significant.  The people and things codes are not significant.  The primary job function of addresser is copying and getting it right.  We know this form the SCO and the DOT. 

The electronic files report the need for average clerical perception; average manual dexterity; and the singular temperament for repetitive work.  The DOT=SCO demand a basis for resolving the apparent conflicts under the administrative notice regulation as interpreted by SSR 00-4p.  The reasoning level 2 does not end the inquiry as the DOT, SCO, and the electronic files provide more basis for questioning the propriety of this obsolete occupation.