Workplace Assessments / Return to Work (RTW) – Suitable Duties (SD) Plans
The workplace assessment identifies the:
- Critical physical, environmental, cognitive and psychosocial demands of the injured workers duties and workplace;
- Needs of the injured worker and employer; and
- Strengths, risks and barriers to develop prompt and appropriate strategies.
Where requested, the information obtained is used to develop a graduated RTW – Suitable Duties (SD) Plan in consultation with the treating doctor, employer and injured worker. By having a structured-graded RTW – SD Plan in place, it provides all parties with appropriate goals to work towards.
Workplace assessments are performed as part of the initial assessment in cases that have been referred for case management services. This service may also be used as a one off assessment.
Ergonomic / Workstation Assessments
In a workplace setting ergonomics is the science of designing the job to fit the worker.
Poor workstation design and work practices put workers at risk of injury and can lead to reduced productivity. Prowork Consultants can assist organisations with Primary Injury Prevention by identifying and reducing the potential risk of injury within the workplace by conducting an ergonomic assessment of the workstation and work environment.
Ergonomics is beneficial to your organisation because it optimises human well-being and overall system performance; and also results in a sufficient, safe and satisfying experience for employees.
The assessment examines the design of the workplace and tasks, as well as, the relationship between the worker and their job requirements; taking into consideration the worker’s stature and their ability to manage their work tasks, tools and the environmental demands.
The report provided outlines the identified risks and strengths; and includes cost effective recommendations for improving workstation design, workflow and work practices.
Functional Capacity Evaluations
Functional capacity evaluations performed include both standardised and non-standardised outcome measures designed to assess an injured worker’s existing and potential functional work capacity. They are performed by Occupational Therapists specialised in evaluating an injured worker’s performance against identified functional and work related criteria.
Functional capacity evaluations are a valuable tool for all parties (medical practitioners, treating physiotherapists etc) in directing appropriate medical treatment and assessment; and fundamental in making informed decisions regarding a realistic RTW goal. Furthermore, functional capacity evaluations can assist with the upgrade of medical capacity / certificates where appropriate, thereby allowing for progression within RTW process.
Vocational Assessments / Labour Market Analysis / Job Seeking
Prowork Consultants always strive to ensure that an injured worker returns to the most suitable level of employment, specifically when assisting with seeking durable employment with a different employer. The participants are immediately made aware of their obligations and responsibilities; and are guided and closely monitored through the redeployment / vocational retraining process. Our experienced vocational consultants ensure all parties (including the insurer and treating doctor) are fully informed of progress made; ensuring vocational options and successfully placements are in line with the injured worker’s functional capacities.
ADL assessments where impacting on ability to RTW
Our Occupational Therapists have significant experience in the area of ADL assessments. ADL assessments involve assessing an injured worker’s ability to perform self-care tasks and activities of daily living, and to make recommendations to improve their independence in these areas; hence assisting with recovery and RTW timeframes.
ADL assessments can be utilised in relation to pre and post-surgery, significant or catastrophic injuries and to review previously recommended services.
Medico-legal & Work Capacity Assessments
Prowork Consultants experienced team also provide Medico-legal and Work Capacity Assessments. Reporting may be based on an injured workers’ functional capacity, domestic / home requirements, return to work capacity, vocational and / or earning capacity. Reporting would be tailored to ensure client questions and / or requirements are objectively answered and thoroughly documented.
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