Unskilled and Reasoning Level 2 -- Simple, Repetitive Work? Not Necessarily

Over the past two posts, we discussed reasoning level 2 occupations that are not simple, repetitive work because they are skilled SVP 5 and 6 occupations.  One group carried the temperament for repetitive work but had other characteristics that explained why there were not simple, repetitive work.  The second group did not carry the temperament for repetitive work and necessarily had other characteristics that betrayed the idea of R2 equals simple, repetitive work.  Academically interesting but not informative since the ALJ asks about the ability to perform other unskilled work in the majority of disability cases.  In this and the next few posts, we will use what we learned about R2 skilled work to declassify R2 unskilled work from that simple, repetitive work mantra. 

Consider this list of 24 light, unskilled, reasoning level 2 occupations that do not carry the temperament for repetitive work but do carry the temperament for people. 

DOTCode	DOTTitle
159.647-010	AMUSEMENT PARK ENTERTAINER
371.567-010	GUARD, SCHOOL-CROSSING
372.667-042	SCHOOL BUS MONITOR
311.472-010	FAST-FOODS WORKER
352.677-018	WAITER/WAITRESS, CLUB
311.477-010	CAR HOP
319.464-014	VENDING-MACHINE ATTENDANT
344.677-010	PRESS-BOX CUSTODIAN
349.677-018	CHILDREN'S ATTENDANT
342.667-014	ATTENDANT, ARCADE
324.577-010	ROOM-SERVICE CLERK
335.677-014	HOT-ROOM ATTENDANT
346.677-018	SECOND
358.677-014	LOCKER-ROOM ATTENDANT
353.667-010	ESCORT
349.667-010	HOST/HOSTESS, DANCE HALL
249.366-010	COUNTER CLERK
295.467-010	BICYCLE-RENTAL CLERK
295.467-018	HOSPITAL-TELEVISION-RENTAL CLERK
291.454-010	LEI SELLER
291.457-010	CIGARETTE VENDOR
292.457-010	NEWSPAPER CARRIER
205.367-058	TRAFFIC CHECKER
245.367-014	BLOOD-DONOR-UNIT ASSISTANT

Several occupations on the list jump out as identified by vocational experts.  Some, like cigarette vendor, do not exist or exist in dwindling numbers -- my hunch with no data exploration.  Each of the occupations listed carry a "S" for significant on that middle digit, the people code in the data-people-things coding.  This significant-not significant coding is found in a variety of sources that compile the electronic files of the DOT-SCO data set, such as Occu Collect.  The people codes range from 4 to 7 in this set.  The DOT defines those classifications:

4 Diverting: Amusing others, usually through the medium of stage, screen, television, or radio.

 5 Persuading: Influencing others in favor of a product, service, or point of view.
 6 Speaking-Signaling: Talking with and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving assignments and/or directions to helpers or assistants.
 7 Serving: Attending to the needs or requests of people or animals or the expressed or implicit wishes of people. Immediate response is involved.

The words "others" or "people" are in the categories used and are designated as significant.  The temperament for people from the Revised Handbook for Analyzing Jobs (Dept. of Labor 1991) refines the concepts:

Dealing with PEOPLE: Involves interpersonal relationships in job situations beyond receiving work instructions.

This definition of the people temperament includes more than the interaction of receiving instructions; this definition requires the ability to engage in interpersonal relationships.  People are not simple.  The fifth example has the most application to unskilled work activity.  The RHAJ describes dealing with people by exemplar:

 Receives callers at establishment, determines nature of business, and directs callers to destination.

Embedded in this definition are the functions of making determinations of the intent or need of another person and making a decision how or who the caller needs to go to meet that need.  The 24 light unskilled occupations do not qualify as simple, repetitive tasks despite the presence of reasoning level 2 because of the significance of dealing with people beyond receiving work instructions   Occupations without the temperament for repetitive or short cycle work and with a temperament are not simple nor are they repetitive.  

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.

Reasoning Level 2, Temperament for Repetitive, Must Be Simple Repetitive Unskilled Work -- No

I compiled a list of 27 DOT codes that carry reasoning level 2 and have a temperament for repetitive work activity.  Here's the list:

DOT Code	DOT Name
520.684-010	ALMOND-PASTE MOLDER
556.484-010	SCAGLIOLA MECHANIC
558.585-010	CATALYTIC-CONVERTER-OPERATOR HELPER
559.664-014	PILOT-CONTROL-OPERATOR HELPER
612.683-010	MANIPULATOR OPERATOR
629.684-014	MILLER, HEAD, ASSISTANT, WET PROCESS
630.684-022	PUMP-SERVICER HELPER
651.686-022	ROLL TENDER
700.684-066	RING STAMPER
706.684-054	FITTER II
711.684-014	CEMENTER
715.584-010	DIAL REFINISHER
736.684-022	BARREL REPAIRER
737.684-038	SHELL ASSEMBLER
739.684-022	BRUSH MATERIAL PREPARER
739.684-086	HAIR WORKER
739.684-154	TICKET-CHOPPER ASSEMBLER
739.684-186	PIPE STEM REPAIRER
790.684-014	CIGAR MAKER
790.684-022	ROLLER, HAND
801.664-014	UTILITY WORKER, MERCHANT MILL
840.684-010	GLASS TINTER
861.664-010	MARBLE FINISHER
861.664-014	TERRAZZO FINISHER
861.664-018	TILE FINISHER
862.684-010	JUNCTION MAKER
955.463-010	SANITARY LANDFILL OPERATOR

Other than the reasoning level and the temperament for repetitive work, these 31 DOT codes have one other characteristic in common -- they are all skilled occupations, one with an SVP 6 and the rest SVP 5.  The next question is, "what makes them skilled?"  We start with the definition of skilled work from the regulation:

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.

First criterion for skilled work is the use of judgment.  Five of our DOT codes require use of judgment as a temperament: 

DOT Code	DOT Name
520.684-010	ALMOND-PASTE MOLDER
700.684-066	RING STAMPER
706.684-054	FITTER II
861.664-010	MARBLE FINISHER
861.664-014	TERRAZZO FINISHER

The next criterion involves laying out the materials for work.  This corresponds to the temperament for working under supervision.  Just two DOT codes have the working under supervision temperament:

DOT Code	DOT Name
651.686-022	ROLL TENDER
955.463-010	SANITARY LANDFILL OPERATOR

The next criterion to look at concerns the need to put the product in proper form, quality, and quantity.  The electronic files use the temperament for attaining precise set limits and tolerances.  This list includes 23 DOT codes, with three of those also requiring the use of judgment:

DOT Code	DOT Name
520.684-010	ALMOND-PASTE MOLDER
556.484-010	SCAGLIOLA MECHANIC
558.585-010	CATALYTIC-CONVERTER-OPERATOR HELPER
559.664-014	PILOT-CONTROL-OPERATOR HELPER
612.683-010	MANIPULATOR OPERATOR
629.684-014	MILLER, HEAD, ASSISTANT, WET PROCESS
630.684-022	PUMP-SERVICER HELPER
700.684-066	RING STAMPER
706.684-054	FITTER II
711.684-014	CEMENTER
715.584-010	DIAL REFINISHER
736.684-022	BARREL REPAIRER
737.684-038	SHELL ASSEMBLER
739.684-022	BRUSH MATERIAL PREPARER
739.684-086	HAIR WORKER
739.684-154	TICKET-CHOPPER ASSEMBLER
739.684-186	PIPE STEM REPAIRER
790.684-014	CIGAR MAKER
790.684-022	ROLLER, HAND
801.664-014	UTILITY WORKER, MERCHANT MILL
840.684-010	GLASS TINTER
861.664-018	TILE FINISHER
862.684-010	JUNCTION MAKER

Of the 27 DOT codes with a reasoning level 2 and a temperament for repetitive work activity, none of them have a significant data code (the fourth digit) or people code (the middle digit).  All 27 of the DOT codes have a significant things code (the sixth digit).  The most common things code among these 27 DOTs is "4" the code for manipulating.  Two of the DOT codes require driving-operating (things code 3); one requires tending (things code 5); and one requires feeding-off bearing (things code 6).  None of these occupations require  dealing with people, facts, or figures or abstract ideas at a high level of complexity, the untouched hallmark for skilled work.  The DOT Appendix B defines these worker functions as:

3 Driving-Operating: Starting, stopping, and controlling the actions of machines or equipment for which a course must be steered or which must be guided to control the movement of things or people for a variety of purposes. Involves such activities as observing gauges and dials, estimating distances and determining speed and direction of other objects, turning cranks and wheels, and pushing or pulling gear lifts or levers. Includes such machines as cranes, conveyor systems, tractors, furnace-charging machines, paving machines, and hoisting machines. Excludes manually powered machines, such as handtrucks and dollies, and power-assisted machines, such as electric wheelbarrows and handtrucks.

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.

6 Feeding-Offbearing: Inserting, throwing, dumping, or placing materials in or removing them from machines or equipment which are automatic or tended or operated by other workers.

What is clear from this exercise is that reasoning level 2 and a temperament for repetitive work does not necessarily equate to unskilled work that meets the "SRT" limitation found in the state agency workup.  Simple repetitive work requires a significantly more granular examination of all the data presented by the DOT, SCO, and the electronic files.