Pre-employment Functional Assessments can be an EffectiveTool for Controlling Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders:A Preliminary Study

摘要

Study DesignrnA preliminary study of a group of 157 male open cut coal miners comparing Pre-rnEmployment Functional Assessment (PEFA) scores with workplace injury rates.rnObjectivesrnTo determine if there is a predictive relationship between performance in a Pre-rnEmployment Functional Assessment and workplace musculoskeletal injury rates.rnSummary of Background DatarnWork-related musculoskeletal injuries have substantial direct and indirect costs to bothrnemployers and employees. Pre-employment functional assessments (PEFAs) are a toolrnthat may assist in reducing the severity and costs of work-related musculoskeletalrninjuries. An employee is considered physically capable of performing a task when theirrncapabilities meet or exceed the key physical requirements of a job. Valid preemploymentrnassessments are based on functional tasks including fitness assessments andrnsafe manual handling ability.rnMethodsrnDemographic data for the group was collected. Participants were screened for exclusionrnfactors prior to the assessment. All participants performed a fitness test. Posturalrntolerances and material handling assessments were conducted depending on the job thatrnthe participants were applying for based on information provided by the JobFit System.rnAn overall PEFA score was obtained from one to three with one being the better score.rnIndividual test scores and the overall PEFA scores were compared to the injury rates inrnthe six month post-PEFA and pre-PEFA periods in addition to the same period in thernprevious year.rnResultsrnDue to the reduction in injury rates since the implementation of the Pre-EmploymentrnFunctional Assessment program there was insufficient data to accurately determine therneffectiveness of each parameter in predicting injury rate, type or severity. However, allrnparticipants that suffered a sprain / strain due to internal factors rated Poor on the aerobicrnphysical fitness assessment.rnConclusionsrnMore data including the assessment of the contribution of compounding factors such asrnage, injury type and years experience is required for regressional analysis.