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Developed by: Ad Hoc Committee on Physical Demands of Anesthesiologists
Original Approval: October 15, 2025
Due to changes in anesthesia practices over the years, anesthesiologists are more likely to be injured, as shown in the ASA survey from January 2023 (1). Injuries can be temporary or incapacitating and jeopardize patient safety as well as anesthesiologists’ health, well-being and careers. Many departments, groups, and facilities do not have descriptions of the physical aspects of the job (or any job description) for anesthesiologists. Even if they do, they are often not readily available to members of the department until after an injury occurs, or available to an applicant unlike most other occupations.
Few formal job descriptions exist that include the physical aspects of performing anesthesia, let alone the risk of injury accompanying these physical demands. Existing job descriptions vary considerably and often contain incomplete or erroneous information. This lack of available and accurate anesthesiologist job descriptions demonstrates why this statement, describing the physical demands on an anesthesiologist, should be accessible to non-anesthesiologists.
Accurate anesthesiologist physical job descriptions are especially important for injured anesthesiologists that apply for disability insurance or workers’ compensation. Published job descriptions often state that the physical demand on an anesthesiologist is “light duty” signifying lifting requirements less than 25lbs. However, an anesthesiologist may exert 25 pounds of force during intubation (2). Compressions during CPR may need as much as 100 pounds of force which includes a portion of the provider’s body weight (3). Turning a patient prone requires lifting of a patient’s head and shoulders, and sometimes a large portion of the torso, which varies in weight by patient size (4). In some cases an intubated and unconscious patient is sat fully upright for a dressing that wraps around the chest. The anesthesiologist supports the patient upper body while also securing the endotracheal tube, a particularly awkward, uncomfortable and strenuous position. An anesthesiologist regularly needs to move an anesthesia machine which weighs more than 350 pounds (5). They also routinely transport patients on stretchers weighing more than 250 pounds or inpatient hospital beds weighing over 400 pounds, before adding the patient weight (6). These patient transports may occur with little or no assistance.
This statement’s intention is to create ASA endorsed recommendations for anesthesia departments, groups and facilities and identify the most essential items that should be included in the anesthesiologist physical job descriptions. A physical job description would allow individuals considering a career in anesthesiology at a specific location to understand the job’s physical tasks, and estimate the potential for injuries. Should a clinician sustain an injury while working, a comprehensive and realistic physical job description will allow departments to assess the individual's capabilities to perform the tasks associated with the practice of anesthesiology, as well as determining their ability to return to work and the possible need for accommodations within the workplace after the injury (7). The physical job description would also help departments or facilities identify hazards that might cause injuries and mitigate the risks associated with a particular action or task before they occur. Accurate and detailed physical job descriptions will also be helpful to the clinicians who evaluate and treat anesthesiologists after occupational injuries and the disability insurance companies that rely upon those evaluations.
The physical job description should identify ergonomic challenges for anesthesiologists specific to a given location, if they vary. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration delineates ergonomic challenges such as awkward postures, overhead work, carrying loads, poor shoulder or wrist posture, lifting and prolonged standing as risky and likely to cause injury. These awkward postures include reaching, bending, twisting, stretching, and flexion or extension of the neck and back. Additional ergonomic challenges for anesthesiologists include kneeling, crouching, crawling, and wearing lead garments or specific PPE. Restrictions and obstacles in the work environment may result in tripping, slipping, or even head injuries related to ceiling-mounted systems within the workspace (8). Anesthesiology jobs at different locations may vary with regard to the risks involved, and certain anesthesiologists may decide to choose a job with a less strenuous or heavy physical workload.
Elements for an anesthesiologist physical job description are listed in this statement. Additional items that would be beneficial to include in a comprehensive physical job description along with details on these items will be posted on the ASA website as a committee work product.
I. Classification and Description of Physical Demands
A. Physical Tasks
1. Strength-related – all with reasonable weight limits
a. Pushing, pulling
b. Lifting
c. Patient Positioning
2. Position-related – activities that require one’s whole body or only a portion of one’s body
3. Walking, running, stair climbing, standing
4. General manual tasks, dexterity, fine motor skills
B. Hazards of Physical Tasks
1. Head Injury, falls, tripping, slipping
2. Awkward Positions – Typical awkward positions include reaching, bending, twisting, stretching, flexion or extension of neck and back, kneeling, crouching, and crawling
3. Cramped spaces
4. Prolonged standing
A. General
1. Time pressure or production pressure
2. Workload (solo practice vs supervising others)
3. Distractions
4. Individual stress tolerance
B. Strength-Related
1. Duration and frequency of the task
2. Availability of assistance (working alone, isolated locations, off site locations)
3. Distance (walking, pushing, stair climbing)
4. Anesthesiologist physical condition needed to fulfill strength requirements
C. Other Stress or Strain
Long hours, sleep deprivation, general description of shift lengths, call frequency and responsibilities outside usual hours
III. Hazardous Exposures
Radiation, disease or infection, bright or low lighting, noise, penetrating injury, electrical shock, burns
References:
Curated by: Governance
Last updated by: Governance
Date of last update: October 15, 2025
You do not have to make a payment at this time, but you can reach out to your practice/group leader to find out when they plan to pay your dues. Email or call the ASA Support team for assistance: (630) 912-2552 or info@asahq.org.
