1. PROTECTING YOU AND YOUR EMPLOYEES By using: POST-OFFER,PRE-PLACEMENT SCREENINGS Bruce A. Jacobsen PT, M.Ed. Coordinator of Industrial Rehabilitation Services 203-789-3490 Occupational Health Plus/Worker Health Solutions 16/18/2013

2. Also know as… Pre-work Screening, PWS Return to Work Screenings, RTWS Physical Demand Screenings, PDS Functional Capacity Evaluations, FCEs Limited functional Capacity Evaluations Ability Screenings 6/18/2013 Occupational Health Plus/Worker Health Solutions 2

3. A Post-offer, Pre-placement screening is a screening that tests an applicants ability to perform the physical demands of a specific job. 6/18/2013 Occupational Health Plus/Worker Health Solutions 3

4. Purpose: Job Matching Definition: Matching an applicants and/or employees physical abilities to a jobs essential physical demand requirements. An objective measure to help hire the right people for a specific job. 6/18/2013 Occupational Health Plus/Worker Health Solutions 4

5. Job Match Grid Essential Job Task, Physical Demand Requirement Applicants AbilitiesJob Match: Yes or No Floor to waist lift, 50-pounds25, poundsNo Floor to waist lift, 50-pounds50-poundsYes Floor to waist lift, 50-pounds100-poundsYes 6/18/2013 Occupational Health Plus/Worker Health Solutions 5

6. Post-offer, Pre-employment Screening Derived from a Functional Job Description. Specifically, the physical demands of the job. Department of Labor Physical Demands: – Lifts, push & pull forces, carries, crawling, kneeling, crouching, climbing, hand grip forces, hand coordination activities (gross and fine motor). 6/18/2013 Occupational Health Plus/Worker Health Solutions 6

7. Additional Considerations Positive culture of safety. Ergonomic applications. Employee and Employer safety ownership. PDS are only a part of work safety programs. A snapshot of a persons abilities 6/18/2013 Occupational Health Plus/Worker Health Solutions 7

8. Benefits of PDS Establishes a baseline level of physical abilities at time of hire. Reduction in first 90-day injuries (WorkWell Systems, Inc.). More realistic return to work options if injured later on. Introduction to safe material handling; coaching. 6/18/2013 Occupational Health Plus/Worker Health Solutions 8

9. Benefits continued… Can identify if a screening failure is due to conditioning vs. pathologic vs. poor body mechanic issues. Considered non-discriminatory if based on the essential job functions. Helps to assure an injured employee is physically ready to return to work. 6/18/2013 Occupational Health Plus/Worker Health Solutions 9

10. Cost Considerations Adds to hiring cost, as an additional service. Based on the PDS pass rate of a specific job, more applicants may need to be screened. (examples: CANs and EMTs). – HR vs. safety/risk view points Again, helps identify if applicants have the essential physical abilities to perform the job. The idea is to help reduce WC costs. 6/18/2013 Occupational Health Plus/Worker Health Solutions 10

11. Legislation American Disability Act (ADA) – 3 situations for testing Pre-employment Job Transfers Return to work clearance – Work and non-work related injuries Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) looks at non-discriminatory application of the screenings. 6/18/2013 Occupational Health Plus/Worker Health Solutions 11

12. Physical Limiting Factors. Muscle weakness. – Weak quadriceps Pathologies. – osteoarthritis Poor body mechanics: – bad habits – Weakness – pathologies 6/18/2013 Occupational Health Plus/Worker Health Solutions 12

13. Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE) A standardized test of about 21 to 25 physical testing components. A physical exam is done prior to an FCE to help correlate findings for consistency of effort purposes. Range form 3 to 5 hours over 1 to 2 days. Looking to determine the employees maximum abilities. Observational criteria to help determine estimated work categories, i.e. frequent, occasional and rare work levels. 6/18/2013 Occupational Health Plus/Worker Health Solutions 13

14. FCE vs. PDS 3 to 5 hours Tests to maximal abilities More costly Done if no PDS is set up, mostly for RTW reasons. Often done at MMI to help quantify any permanent restrictions 15-60 minutes average Only as required within a work cycle Less costly Done for PWS, RTW and job transfers Not done for MMI restrictions 6/18/2013 Occupational Health Plus/Worker Health Solutions 14

15. Functional Job Descriptions (FJD) Required by both FCEs and PDSs Quantifies the physical demands of a job. A job analysis needs to be conducted to determine the physical demands of the essential functions. Strongly recommend employee and employer involvement during the development. 6/18/2013 Occupational Health Plus/Worker Health Solutions 15