Services  Overview

• Ergonomic Worksite Assessment and Consulting

• Functional Job Analysis
• Functional Job Descriptions
• Prework Screenings
• Injury Prevention Education

• Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)

• Work Conditioning

Ergonomic Worksite Assessment and Consulting

Ergonomics is the science of designing or structuring work and the work environment to fit the capabilities of the worker. In a practical sense, ergonomics is the science of human comfort. When stress factors of work such as repetition, force, vibration, etc. insult the human body, the result is often a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). To help avoid MSDs, work demands should not exceed the physical capabilities of the worker.

When would I need an Ergonomic Worksite Assessment?

An Ergonomics Worksite Assessment will evaluate the workplace to identify and reduce potential hazards and stress factors that create cumulative trauma disorders. We may instruct an office worker on safer positioning of equipment or teach a factory worker on proper lifting technique. A written report will highlight stress factors and provide reasonable recommendations and affordable solutions.

When would  I need an Ergonomics Consultant or an Ergonomics Program?

Many employers are discovering the benefits of taking a proactive stance of workplace injuries. Employers in California have always looked for ways to reduce the direct costs of work-related injuries (Workers’ Comp. Insurance), but have often neglected the impact of indirect costs (downtime, off quality, re-training another worker or rehiring).

Since 1997, California has been the only state to implement an Ergonomic Standard in the workplace. California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 5110 states that when a repetitive motion injury (RMI) has occurred to more than one employee in a similar way, the employer must design and implement an ergonomics program to minimize RMIs in the workplace. This program shall include a worksite evaluation, control of exposures which have caused RMIs and training for employees.

Let our expertise guide you through a comprehensive Ergonomics Program to be compliant with Cal/OSHA.

Functional Job Analysis

A Functional Job Analysis is an evaluation that identifies the physical/functional aspects of work. It analyzes and measures variables of the work, the worker and the work environment to identify ways to make work safer and work more productive. It provides written support of essential job functions when hiring and placing employees. It will give recommendations on new work area designs and adaptive equipment.

Why would I need a Functional Job Analysis?

The information gathered during the Functional Job Analysis is often used for multiple purposes, which include:

·        identifying issues for ergonomic intervention

·        creating a Functional Job Description that is ADA compliant

·        designing Prework Screens

·        development of Injury Prevention Education programs

·        determining reasonable accommodations for disabled employees

How do I know if I need a Functional Job Analysis?

Review injury records of incidence, severity, and lost time days, this will pinpoint the jobs most requiring a Functional Job Analysis. Notice trends of high turnover rate for certain positions. An employee who is complaining of discomfort from certain job tasks would be an excellent candidate for a Functional Job Analysis.

Functional Job Descriptions

With collected data from the Functional Job Analysis, a Functional Job Description will describe the essential functions and critical demands of the specific job. Measurements will include heights, weights, distances, frequency, duration and repetitions.

Prework Screenings

A Prework Screen tests the potential employee on whether he/she is able to perform job-related functions and perform them safely. This ADA compliant screen insures a match between the job demands and the applicant’s physical abilities.

Why would I need a Prework Screen?

The continuing high rates of injured workers cannot be reduced by education only or by ergonomic work site redesign only. There must be an integrated approach. Also, this prevents an employer from the financial burden of screening large numbers to select only a few.

How do I know if I need a Prework Screen?

If you are planning on hiring for a high-risk job(s) with high rates of injury. The decision to hire the applicant should be contingent on the person’s ability to pass the functional screen. 

Injury Prevention Education

Our fun and lively presentations will educate workers in body mechanics, ergonomics, worker habit re-training, and exercise. We provide fun and lively presentations that your employees will enjoy and learn a great deal from.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) Class

This program increases worker/supervisor awareness of CTD risk factors and the steps they can take to prevent injury from occurring through proper body mechanics and development of safe work habits. The class encourages personal responsibility for management and avoidance of CTDs

Back Class

This educational program, will discusses anatomy, posture, body mechanics, lifting techniques, injury prevention. Back classes can be tailored for a general population or a specific occupation. Each lecture encompasses written materials, hands on activity, as well as a question and answer session. Our team of therapist will devise a back education program to fit your individual needs. The therapist will incorporate instructions regarding the care of the back at work and at home. Emphasis is placed on the employee’s responsibility for the prevention and management of back injuries.

Office Ergonomics

This hands-on program educates employees on ergonomically correct workstation design and factors that lead to CTDs. Discussion on seating and computer arrangement will be emphasized.

Manual Materials Handling

This class is designed for workers who handle or lift material frequently and teaches safe body mechanics and how to avoid injury.

Customized Class

Our team of therapists will develop a program specific to your industry needs that addresses basic ergonomic principals and work injury prevention.

Functional Capacity Evaluation

A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is a work-related test that measures an individual’s strength, flexibility, endurance, ability, static posture, and repetitive movements to assess their physical ability to do a specific job. It clearly outlines a person's safe maximum ability to work and consistency of effort. The information can be summarized and presented to the physician, who makes the final determination of the workers ability to return to work. This comprehensive test is administered over a consecutive two-day period.

Why should I refer for a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)?

There are several reasons to request an FCE depending on the referral source. A physician may request an FCE soon after the acute physical therapy stage is completed and there is a discrepancy between the employees subjective complaints and the objective findings. It may also be requested by an insurance adjuster to determine the extent of disability and to measure consistency of effort. An attorney may request an FCE for additional objective data concerning the severity and impact of the injury on a person’s physical abilities. Also, an FCE can be used to establish a baseline prior to entering a work conditioning program or vocational rehabilitation program.

When do I request for an FCE?

An FCE may be requested at any time during the disability process. Typically, an FCE is requested soon after the initial physical therapy treatment has been completed and the patient has plateaued in progress towards 100% of pre-injury status. An insurance carrier may choose to request an FCE in order to appropriately settle a disability case.

Work Conditioning

Work conditioning is a structured goal orientated and individualized treatment program designed to maximize a person's ability to return to work safely and in a timely manner. If a worker has the potential to return to their previous work or to modified work they may need to be conditioned to meet the physical demands of their work. This program provides specific training with activities that simulate the physical demands of their work to determine their readiness to work.

How would my employee/patient benefit from a Work Conditioning program?

It ensures a smooth, rapid, safe transition back to work. Work conditioning will decrease the time the employee is off the job or placed on light duty status, increasing productivity and improving workplace morale. The employer or physician will have confidence knowing the employee/patient is safe to return to work. Consider the possibility of a re-injury if a worker’s physical and functional abilities are not compatible with the job demands.

How would I know if my employee/patient needs a Work Conditioning program?

Typically, a person usually begins work conditioning after he/she has plateaued  with acute physical therapy treatment, but has not reached 100% recovery. Not every injured worker receiving physical therapy will need work conditioning. In fact, most will return to work soon after his/her initial physical therapy program is complete. Early intervention is key so that any progress achieved during the initial physical therapy phase will not be lost while waiting for a decision to be made.