We understand that the meeting of human needs through an ergonomic approach can reduce workplace injury, increase productivity, improve product quality, increase job satisfaction and contain costs. Our team of multidisciplinary health professionals can provide you with the following services:
FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES EVALUATION
Our Functional Abilities Evaluations are performed utilizing the ARCON system, which allows us to objectively quantify an individual’s functional abilities and limitations and answer any specific referral questions.
The FAE takes up to 4 hours to complete and may include the following:
- Detailed medical history/screen
- Present pain complaint review
- Dynamic lifting and carrying
- Walking and climbing
- Pushing and pulling
- Reaching
- Handling and fingering
- Stooping, crouching, and kneeling
- Hand and pinch grip
- Comparison to population norms
The individual’s co-operation, full participation, and overall effort are required during functional testing. Any behavior such as pain focused behavior, or other barriers interfering with full performance will be observed and commented on.
An FAE can be used as a preventative tool to assess the safety of an individual’s return to work following prolonged absences or to identify if an injured worker can perform their essential job demands. Two day FAEs are also available if there is an issue of conditioning in order to identify an individual’s ability to perform work on consecutive days. Contact us for more information.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS ANALYSIS
A Physical Demands Analysis is an on-site objective assessment of the physical, environmental, and psychosocial stressors of a specific position or job classification. The essential duties of the position are identified and measured, and an overall NIOSH job classification is provided (i.e. Sedentary, Light, Medium, or Heavy PDC). A PDA is a useful tool for the development of Post Offer Pre Employment testing protocols as well as the provision of information to compare an injured or returning employee’s functional abilities with work demands.
ERGONOMIC ASSESSMENTS
An Ergonomic Assessment identifies injury risk factors or potential hazards associated with essential job duties and/or equipment, job task, or work environment. The assessment consists of an interview with employees and supervisors to develop a thorough and accurate understanding of the job responsibilities, followed by an on-site objective evaluation and measurement of the physical demands or characteristics of the job or workstation. Employees are instructed on proper ergonomics while sitting, standing, reaching, lifting, carrying, and other functional postures. A report is provided with the overall risk rating, as well as recommendations on modifications and adaptations to reduce the risk of injury or potential aggravating factors.
JOB HAZARD ASSESSMENTS
As a requirement of Health & Safety Programs, a Job Hazard Assessment identifies high risk jobs/tasks and provides recommendations to control or minimize the hazards. Hazards can be chemical, physical, biological, ergonomic, safety, or psychosocial in nature. Through interviews and on-site observation and measurement of the job/tasks, a report will be completed with a narrative description of the hazard, the identified risk level of the hazard, and current and recommended control measures to minimize the hazard.
JOB SUITABILITY ASSESSMENTS
A Job Suitability Assessment is an effective tool to facilitate a safe and successful return to work. It utilizes information from a Functional Abilities Evaluation or Functional Abilities Form to compare an individual’s current restrictions or functional limitations with an updated Physical Demands Analysis or job site information. If the abilities and essential job demands match, a return to work is recommended. If the job demands exceed the individual’s current abilities, recommendations can be provided regarding accommodations or tasks to be avoided at this time.
POST OFFER PRE EMPLOYMENT TESTING
Post Offer Pre Employment Testing (POET) focuses on determining whether an individual is physically capable of performing a specific job to proactively minimize the risk of injury. To properly assess this ability, the tests that measure an individual's physical abilities must be valid, job related and consistent with business necessity. Since we tailor the testing protocol for each job, a Physical Demands Analysis is a useful tool to identify the essential job demands. The POET consists of objective functional testing, but may also have a medical component if required. Recommendations are provided if accommodations are necessary to perform the job.
IN HOME ASSESSMENTS
An In Home Assessment is a thorough evaluation of an individual’s home. Issues addressed include the ability to perform activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, cooking, cleaning and shopping. Our assessors produce an objective report based on all observations and measurements, pointing out all limitations in functional abilities and recommending modifications and techniques to improve function. This could include suggestions for equipment, education on more efficient or easier ways to perform an activity, and a recommendation for personal care assistance. Our goal is to increase the client’s independence and safety within their home and their community.