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Injury Prevention

 

ERGONOMIC PROGRAMS  

Ergonomics programs are designed to match the employee with the job to prevent injuries and facilitate early and safe return to work when injuries do occur

 

FUTURES FIT 4 WORK offers comprehensive ergonomic consulting services to help employers design a program from scratch or enhance existing components. Available services include:

 

Worksite Evaluation-The California Ergonomic Guidelines for Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs) stipulates that job analysis must be done for each job, process or operation where more than one repetitive motion injury has occurred in a 12 month period.

 

Hazard Analysis-Identify repetitive motion injury risk factors through assessment of work repetitions; forces of lifting, pushing/pulling, pinching and gripping; awkward postures of reaching, kneeling and squatting, and body alignment; contact pressure; and vibration.

 

Risk Reduction-Control of the exposures that have caused repetitive motion injuries through:

·          Feasible Engineering- changing or redesigning workstations, tools, facilities, equipment, materials or processes

·          Administrative Controls-employee rotation, job task enlargement, alternative tasks, employer-authorized changes in the workplace, early symptom identification and intervention

·          Employee Training- current and new employees need to be provided with basic information regarding common repetitive motion injuries, risk factors, signs and symptoms, importance of early reporting, how to report, and the employer's specific program and methods used to minimize repetitive motion injuries.

·          Management Leadership-provide a designated person(s) with the authority, resources, training and information necessary to communicate and train employees about ergonomics, ensure policies are implemented and supported and serve as a primary resource for repetitive motion injury concerns and education

·          Hire the Right Candidate-hire only those individuals who have the physical capacity to safely do the job

 

 

ADA Compliant Employment Testing:

Unlike traditional employment screening, the proactive use of ADA Compliant Employment Testing assures an employer that the physical abilities of potential or current workers are adequate for safe, functional performance on the job.

FUTURES FIT 4 WORK offers three types of employment tests: Post-Offer/Pre-Hire Fit-for-Duty, Post-Injury and Return-to-Work.

ADA Compliant Employment Testing enables employers to protect both potential employees and the company by insuring that only individuals who are safely able to perform job functions are hired and disqualifying those who are not.  In addition, pre-existing musculoskeletal conditions are identified, and documented to record a physical baseline of each employee, which can be accessed in the event of a future work related injury. Most organizations record medical and lost time costs but fail to consider the total costs of workers compensation injuries.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that indirect costs (turnover, overtime, wasted management resources, decreased productivity and employee morale) are up to 100% of the direct costs! ADA Compliant Employment Testing dramatically decreases the frequency and severity of work injuries, saving employers thousands of dollars in both direct and indirect costs and saving the employee candidate from accepting a job they do not have the physical abilities to safely perform.

 

Upper Extremity Testing:

The upper extremity evaluation assesses mobility, strength, sensation and functional hand use.  Performed by specially trained medical professionals it is used to identify current or potential signs of repetitive motion injuries to the arms and hands that have been correlated with work related injuries.  This tool is frequently used in conjunction with a comprehensive post-offer/pre-hire test. It can also be a stand alone evaluation. Results can be used to identify individuals who are at high risk of repetitive motion injuries, indicate need for further medical assessment or provide the basis for implementing specific interventions for a given individual.   

 

Click here for in-depth information on Workplace Ergonomics and how proper body mechanics prevent injury.