How to determine if you are fit/safe to return to work?

How do you know when your ready to return to work duties and at what level?

Answer: Functional Capacity Evaluations

Our physiotherapy staff are trained Workhab and Jobfit evaluators. This means they have undertaken extensive training in standardised assessment methods to evaluate a workers ability to return to safe duties e.g. lifting capacity, postural tolerances.

What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)

A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is a series of standardised tests used to objectively assess a worker’s functional capacities for work. This testing is completed by a Bodyfix physiotherapist , usually within our specially designed offices or occasionally onsite within the workplace.

An FCE is used to determine a worker’s abilities over a range of physical demands in order to facilitate his or her functional recovery. A FCE should be used to match what the worker can actually do physically against the critical physical demands of a job role (either pre injury duties or new duties)

An FCE may be used as a source of information for:

▪ Developing return to work plans

▪ Communicating relevant information to involved parties including the worker, the doctor and employer about rehabilitation requirements

▪ Making recommendations about interventions such as safe manual handling and other actions which will facilitate return to work

▪ Assessing the worker’s capacity to meet the physical demands of specific duties when other sources do not provide this information.

▪ Specifying duties including proposed return to work duties or different duties.

Bodyfix use the WorkHab's© FCE method which is one of the most widely researched and reliable forms of functional capacity evaluation available.