Pre-Employment Physicals

Written by Eric Petersen, CIC

If you’ve been following ArboRisk for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard me say it before: “Don’t hire a workers’ comp claim.”

It’s a simple statement, but it carries a lot of weight, especially in the tree care industry, where the physical demands of the job are high and the margin for error is low. In a past article on pre-employment testing, I emphasized that hiring isn’t just about filling a spot on your team, it’s about making sure the person you bring on can actually perform the job safely. When that piece is overlooked, it’s not a matter of if an injury happens, it’s when.

That’s where a properly structured pre-employment physical comes into play. While many companies focus on interviews or basic screenings, the physical evaluation is your opportunity to match a candidate’s real-world capabilities to the actual demands of tree work.

Because every role, from groundperson to climber to equipment operator has different physical demands, your evaluation process should be tailored accordingly. That said, there are several core components every tree service should include.

1. Lifting Capacity and Control

Tree work is built on lifting, carrying, and controlling heavy materials such as logs, equipment, and debris.

A proper evaluation should include:

• Lifting from ground to waist and shoulder height
• Carrying weighted objects over distances (25–50 feet)
• Controlled lowering of weight

This ensures candidates can safely manage the foundational movements required on nearly every job site.

2. Pushing, Pulling, and Dragging Strength

From dragging brush to pulling ropes and moving equipment, these movements are constant in tree work.

Test for:

• Push/pull strength using a weighted sled
• Simulated rope pulls (hand-over-hand motion)

These assessments directly mirror real-world tasks like rigging and debris movement.

3. Grip Strength and Hand Endurance

Chainsaws, ropes, and rigging systems all demand strong and sustained grip strength.

Evaluation should cover:

• Sustained grip holds
• Repetitive hand-over-hand pulling
• Tool-handling simulations

Fatigue in grip strength is a major contributor to accidents, and a key area you don’t want to overlook.

4. Repetitive Motion and Muscular Endurance

Tree work isn’t a one-time lift, it’s repeated effort over hours throughout the day.

Assess:

• Repetitive lift-and-lower cycles over time
• Squat-to-stand repetitions

This helps determine whether a candidate can maintain safe performance throughout a full workday.

5. Awkward Postures and Flexibility

Tree care often requires working in unnatural positions overhead, being twisted, or crouched down.

Include:

• Overhead reaching with a light load
• Controlled trunk rotation
• Kneeling, crouching, and returning to standing

These movements are essential for reducing strain-related injuries.

6. Balance, Coordination, and Situational Control

Uneven ground, falling debris, and shifting loads require strong body control.

Test for:

• Single-leg balance with light movement
• Walking on uneven surfaces
• Direction changes while carrying weight

These assessments help identify candidates who can maintain control in unpredictable environments.

7. Cardiovascular Work Capacity

Tree work is physically taxing and often performed in extreme conditions.

Include:

• Moderate step tests
• Loaded walks for time or distance
• Continuous work tasks without excessive fatigue

This ensures candidates can sustain effort without becoming a safety risk due to exhaustion.

Ultimately, every test you implement should be directly tied to the job itself. A well-designed physical evaluation does exactly that, it replicates the real demands of tree work as best as possible.

Like most things in business, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Your pre-employment physical should reflect the actual work being performed within your company. When done correctly, it becomes a powerful filter, ensuring that every new hire is physically prepared for the demands of the job.

If you’re struggling on how to implement a pre-employment physical into your hiring routine, reach out to an ArboRisk team member today to get started with our Hiring & Recruiting Thrive Package.