Physical Assessment Standards for School Bus Attendants
Applicability:
This standard applies to all school bus attendants in the State of Utah.
Rationale:
School bus attendants must be physically capable to assist students who ride a school bus and evacuate students
in an emergency. An annual performance assessment test is required to evaluate the physical ability of each bus
attendant to perform the essential functions of his/her job and to safely evacuate students in an emergency.
Purpose:
The purpose of the annual performance assessment test is to help ensure the safety of students by requiring all
bus attendants to meet or exceed the State’s physical ability standard when assisting students who ride a
school bus.
Procedures to be followed:
Public and private entities must develop and implement an annual performance assessment test to evaluate the
physical ability of a school bus attendant’s ability to adequately perform the essential functions of his/her job
and to safely evacuate students in an emergency. Individuals who fail to pass the annual performance assessment
test shall not work as an attendant on a school bus. The annual performance assessment test must meet or
exceed the state testing standards listed below:
1. Screen testing must be administered by a Bus Driver Instructor, Behind the Wheel Instructor or
Department Supervisor, utilizing a full-size, 40-foot school bus, or simulated by a third-party health care
provider in a controlled environment.
2. Confirmation testing must be administered by a Department Supervisor or a third-party health care
provider in a controlled environment.
3. Safe movement and lifting techniques must be utilized. Each attendant must receive and read a copy of
“Proper Lifting Techniques and Safety Precautions for Physical Assessment Evaluations” or equivalent
training material prior to being given the physical assessment test;
4. New hires must safely pass the physical assessment test prior to performing their duties as school bus
a
tte
ndants; (be consistent by ending each statement with a period or semi-colon)
5. Bus attendants must safely pass the physical assessment a minimum of once every. The physical
assessment expires one year after the test date.
6. Components of the test must measure the physical ability of the individual to perform the following
minimum functions consecutively, without a rest break:
a. Climb and descend bus stairs three times within 30 seconds. Use handrail and turn around at the
top of the stairs before coming down the stairs.
b. Kneel down for 10 seconds; turn head to look under a school bus; and then return to a standing
position within 5 seconds (perform two times within 60 seconds).
c.
From seat height (16 inches), pick up and carry a 50-pound object a distance of 35 feet within 20
seconds.
d. Drag a 125-pound object on the ground a distance of 50 feet within 30 seconds. Test must be
performed walking backwards in an upright position. Object must be dragged on a “non-slick”
ground surface such as dry asphalt, concrete, or carpet. Wagons, sleds or any other weight-
bearing device that reduces ground friction may not be utilized.
7. An Attendant who is assigned to or substitutes on a school bus must be physically capable and trained to:
4