A Novel Approach to Preemployment Worker Fitness Evaluations in a Material-Handling Industry

Reimer, David S.; Halbrook, Bobby D.; Dreyfuss, Paul; Tibiletti, Claire

doi:10.1097/00007632-199409150-00001

Cited by 24 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…Although the NIOSH guidelines are frequently utilized in industry, there is still no universally accepted method of determining a safe lifting capacity for workers 59,60 . Preplacement strength testing as a screening method and physical examination for back disorders are controversial and even radiological screening added no significant predictive value for future back pain [61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70] . Furthermore, back belts proved by randomized clinical trails to be ineffective at preventing back pain 71,72 .…”

Section: Spe 108467mentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevention of Occupational Back Pain: Saudi Aramco Experience

Al-Otaibi¹

2007

Proceedings of SPE Asia Pacific Health, Safety, and Security Environment Conference and Exhibition

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fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractThis paper reviews the scientific research on occupational back pain focusing on prevention and the Saudi Aramco experience. The challenges of translating the medical evidence into policy for this multi-factorial condition are discussed. Medical science is currently unable to clearly distinguish between back pain caused by work and that possibly due to other causes but affecting the individual's capacity to work. Back pain affects the majority of people at sometime in their lives and it is costly to medical services and industry. Once the risk factors for occupational back pain are identified, it can be prevented in the majority of cases or else it can become chronic and disabling. Failure to follow preventive programs may lead to a high incidence of occupational back pain.

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Section: Spe 108467mentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevention of Occupational Back Pain: Saudi Aramco Experience

Al-Otaibi¹

2007

Proceedings of SPE Asia Pacific Health, Safety, and Security Environment Conference and Exhibition

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“…In occupations with high physical demands, physical performance tests seem a rational method to consider. The evaluation of individual physical work ability by means of tests has already been applied in the contexts of pre-employment evaluations [12][13][14], making decisions regarding return to work after injury [15], disability claim procedures [16] and in a workers' health surveillance programme for fire fighters [17]. Up to now, no physical performance tests exist for the evaluation of individual physical work ability in a workers' health surveillance programme for specific construction occupations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Individual Physical Work Ability: Examples from the Construction Industry

Boschman

Molen²,

Sluiter

et al. 2013

TOOHSJ

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Abstract:Background: Actively searching for musculoskeletal complaints and reduced physical work ability is a key element in a job-specific workers' health surveillance programme for construction workers. The aims of this multiple-case study were 1) to explore the added value of physical performance tests in such a programme among bricklayers and supervisors and 2) to assess if and how these tests facilitate the recommendation of job-specific preventive actions in addition to information gathered by questionnaires.Methods: Musculoskeletal complaints and reduced physical work ability were evaluated by means of a questionnaire and physical performance tests. These tests were designed in such a way that they closely resembled activities in the real working situation. Job-specific activities were performed and individual working posture and working technique were observed by an ergonomist.Results: The present multiple case study consists of a qualitative analysis of the information gathered during a job-specific workers' health surveillance. We included four participants: two bricklayers and two construction supervisors. We found that the information gathered during the tests supplemented the information from the questionnaire. Furthermore, the tests seemed of added value in the assessment of musculoskeletal complaints and reduced physical work ability and in observing working posture and working technique.Conclusions: Standardised physical performance tests, based on a simulation of relevant job activities, are of added value in evaluating and gathering knowledge about construction workers' individual physical work ability. These tests provide the opportunity to observe restrictions in task performance, working posture and technique and to recommend job-specific preventive interventions when necessary.

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“…Studies assessing the predictability of screening tools such as isometric strength tests,23–29 cardiovascular fitness,24,26,27,30 and isokinetic strength tests24,27,28,31,32 have had variable results in regards to their predictability of injuries based on assessment criteria. However, as with tests that included dynamic lifting components,27,29,32 the predictability of the tests improves as the occupational physical demands approach or exceed the worker's demonstrated capability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, as with tests that included dynamic lifting components,27,29,32 the predictability of the tests improves as the occupational physical demands approach or exceed the worker's demonstrated capability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The evolving role of physiotherapists in pre-employment screening for workplace injury prevention: are functional capacity evaluations the answer?

Legge

2013

Physical Therapy Reviews

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BackgroundMusculoskeletal injuries account for the largest proportion of workplace injuries. In an attempt to predict, and subsequently manage, the risk of sprains and strains in the workplace, employers are turning to pre-employment screening. Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) are increasing in popularity as a tool for pre-employment screening despite limited published evidence for their validity in healthy working populations.ObjectivesThis narrative review will present an overview of the state of the evidence for pre-employment functional testing, propose a framework for decision-making to determine the suitability of assessment tools, and discuss the role and potential ethical challenges for physiotherapists conducting pre-employment functional testing.Major FindingsMuch of the evidence surrounding the validity of functional testing is in the context of the injured worker and prediction of return to work. In healthy populations, FCE components, such as aerobic fitness and manual handling activities, have demonstrated predictability of workplace injury in a small number of studies. This predictability improves when workers' performance is compared with the job demands. This job-specific approach is also required to meet anti-discrimination requirements. There are a number of practical limitations to functional testing, although these are not limited to the pre-employment domain. Physiotherapists need to have a clear understanding of the legal requirements and potential ethical challenges that they may face when conducting pre-employment functional assessments (PEFAs).ConclusionsFurther research is needed into the efficacy of pre-employment testing for workplace injury prevention. Physiotherapists and PEFAs are just one part of a holistic approach to workplace injury prevention.

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A Novel Approach to Preemployment Worker Fitness Evaluations in a Material-Handling Industry

Cited by 24 publications

References 0 publications

Prevention of Occupational Back Pain: Saudi Aramco Experience

Prevention of Occupational Back Pain: Saudi Aramco Experience

Evaluating Individual Physical Work Ability: Examples from the Construction Industry

The evolving role of physiotherapists in pre-employment screening for workplace injury prevention: are functional capacity evaluations the answer?

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