Worksite Solutions

Occupational Services

• Pre-Employment Services More Info

Pre-Employment services are designed to address potential injuries BEFORE they occur.
There are a few questions you can ask about your organization that may help your thoughts or ideas. Do you have appropriate job descriptions? Do your new hires frequently get injured? Does your workforce need training on ergonomics and injury prevention?

Functional Job Descriptions (FJDs) are written with the essential functional requirements of a job in mind. No longer will you have to settle for generalized job descriptions that ignore the true physical requirements of the job. FJDs detail all of the essential physical requirements of a job, their frequency, and all body mechanics involved.

Post Offer Evaluations to help screen potential new hires to ensure they meet the physical requirements necessary to perform the job. Best of all, Post Offer Evaluations are ADA compliant, and legally defensible.

Training Classes on ergonomics and injury prevention are always beneficial. Classes should be tailored to fit your facility and workforce. Through education, you can help enhance your bottom line by having a healthier workforce.

Functional Job Descriptions replace general job descriptions utilized by most companies today.
Most general job descriptions include a minimal overview of the basic tasks performed and a general recommendation of weights each employee should be able to lift to perform the job. The Functional Job Description should expand on this basic information to include the functional weights and movements required of the job. In addition, they should be ADA compliant and may hold up in court.

Functional Job Description Benefits:
• Standard job descriptions for all positions
• Detailed overview for medical professionals to return injured employees to work.
• Provides the groundwork for developing Post Offer Evaluations.


How It Works:
A consultant comes to your facility and interviews current employees and/or supervisors in this position. Following the interview(s), the consultant will observe employees performing the job and collect all relevant data. This information is integrated into a report outlining all of the essential physical requirements of the job.

Post Offer Evaluations assesses each applicant’s ability to perform the essential functions of a specific job.
Employers frequently hire an employee who either becomes injured on the job shortly after starting or, was potentially injured before they started. What if you could legally screen your potential new hires to ensure they can perform the job-specific physical components of the position? Enter the Post Offer Evaluation.

Post Offer Evaluation Benefits:
• Reduce injury rates. Especially injury rates of new hires employees.
• Return on Investment. Our average POE client realizes a 9 to 1 rate of return.
• ADA and HIPAA compliant.


How It Works:
The development of a Post Offer Evaluation requires a Functional Job Description. A consultant will develop a physical simulation of the job, based on the FJD.  This simulation will include parts and equipment from your own facility to ensure accuracy of the simulation. Your employees and supervisors will review the simulation for validation purposes and to help establish minimal “Passing Criterion”. Once a “Passing Criterion” has been established, all new hires for that position will be put through the test.

Early Intervention services are designed to maximize your bottom line by addressing ergonomic and injury risks on the job.
The benefits of an Ergonomic Job-Site Analysis
Often, poor ergonomics are a result of employees not using existing equipment properly, or through the misapplication of equipment. Ergonomists can maximize your current resources to reduce or eliminate ergonomic risk in your workplace. Watch your bottom line increase as your injuries decrease.

On-Site Injury Triage: Catching discomfort before it becomes an injury.
Traditional occupational medical models wait for an employee to become injured before administering treatment (reactive) Wouldn’t it be more cost effective to prevent and/or manage minor discomforts (sprains and strains) before they develop into recordable injuries?

What about Office Ergonomics Ergonomic consultants can perform individual workstation assessments for your office staff by educating employees regarding proper workstation setup and/or recommend necessary equipment changes. If equipment changes are necessary, consultants should be able to provide equipment recommendations and supplier information so you’re not left guessing.

Job Site Analysis (JSA)
Ergonomic Job-Site Analysis can help identify and eliminate ergonomic risks to your workforce.
When it comes to the relationship between workplace ergonomics and your company’s bottom line, the famous adage still holds true, “Good Ergonomics = Good Economics.” Adopting a proactive ergonomics policy begins with assessing your workplace for ergonomic risk.

JSA Benefits:
• Decrease work-related injuries
• Maximize existing resources
• Cost effective equipment recommendations (where necessary)
• Increase employee morale


How It Works:
A consultant will come to your facility and observe a specified task(s) (video/photo may be necessary) to collect ergonomic data. The provided report outlines a detailed assessment of improper/risky body mechanics, force, repetition, vibration, and environmental conditions in your work environment.

On-site injury triage saves valuable time and money. This unique medical model addresses employee discomfort before it becomes a recordable injury.  On-site specialists work with your employees to address discomforts at the workstation (on the production floor or in the office). Specialists become a critical component of your effort to decrease cost.

On-Site Injury Triage Benefits:
• Reduce OSHA Recordables
• Reduce work-related medical visits
• Increase early reporting

How It Works:
The injury prevention specialist will interact with employees in the office, on the production floor, or in the laboratory, while they work. Specialists observe and coach employees at their work site, and provide educational information to keep employees healthy and safe while on, and away from, the job. They also encourage employees to report minor sprains and strains as early as possible so they can be addressed before becoming recordable injuries (creating more lost time). This service is available on an “as needed” basis or as a full-time, Occupational Injury Management System.

Office work-related injuries are on the rise; don’t overlook your office staff.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (article), nearly half of all office related injuries are of the sprain/strain variety. Evaluating your office for ergonomic risk factors could dramatically reduce this number in your workplace. Adopting a proactive, ergonomics policy begins with assessing your office workforce for ergonomic risk.

Office Ergonomics Benefits:
• Increase office productivity
• Increase employee morale and comfort
• Decrease office work-related injuries


How It Works:
A consultant will come to your facility and observe specified workstation(s) (video/photo may be necessary) to collect ergonomic data. A detailed report will be generated that outlines an ergonomic assessment of improper/risky body mechanics, force, repetition, vibration, and environmental conditions for each workstation. Employees are then educated regarding proper workstation setup and/or recommend necessary equipment changes.

Return to Work services have been designed to get your employees back to full duty as efficiently and safely as possible. The question is, are you utilizing the right services. Whether the employee was off due to injury or for other reasons, getting them back on the job in a safe and efficient manner is a priority for the employee and the employer.  A Fit for Duty evaluation will provide the piece of mind you need to ensure your employee is ready to safely return to their job.  A Fit for Duty evaluation is required to develop a Transitional Duty program

Why a Fit for Duty evaluation?
Employees returning to work after an extended absence can pose a significant risk to themselves, as well as to the company.  A Fit for Duty evaluations provides realistic expectations for returning employees back to full duty after an extended absence (injury or otherwise).

Benefits
• Prevent new injuries that may occur as a result of deconditioning
• Protects the company and the employee from re-injury
• Provides the foundation to develop a Transitional Duty plan that returns employees to full duty, as quickly and safely as possible.

How It Works
A specialist meets with the returning employee to review all job functions and current medical restrictions.  The evaluation results are integrated into a report detailing job functions the employee is approved to return to, as well as a list of protective limitations that should be followed to prevent injury/re-injury.  Specialists can also detail an appropriate Transitional Duty plan that keeps the employee productive and safe while returning to full duty.

Why Transitional Duty?
Employees returning from injury are significantly more likely to be injured again without a safe return to work program.  A customized Transitional Duty program will ensure employees stay productive and safe while transitioning back to work. 

Transitional Duty
Frequently, when an employee returns to work with medical restrictions they are assigned menial tasks that are unrelated to their job.  Returning employees, often, feel like outsiders at their own job during this process.  Customized Transitional Duty programs can keep employees productive and safe, while limiting feelings of isolation during the return-to-work process.

Benefits
• Reduces risk of injury/re-injury.
• Keeps transitioning employee productive.
• Reduces feeling of isolation.

How It Works
A specialist works with the employee and their supervisor(s) to gradually condition the employee to their normal workflow.  As the employee demonstrates greater ability to perform the physical functions of the job, they are returned to full duty in a safe and efficient manner.  A Fit for Duty evaluation is required to develop any Transitional Duty programs.

Injury management systems provide cost-effective solutions for managing occupational health and safety.
Occupational Injury Management System
Similar to the On-Site Injury Triage service, there is also a comprehensive injury management system for those companies looking for a full-time solution.

Voluntary Protection Program (VPP)
The OSHA VPP program is designed for those companies looking to lead their industry in occupational health and safety.

The occupational injury management system provides a comprehensive solution for preventing, treating, and managing your workforce injuries. Injury triage specialists work with your employees, on-site, to understand their jobs and help them perform those jobs in the safest manner possible. Specialists also provide education to prevent injuries on, or away from, the job.

System Benefits
• Comprehensive injury case management
• Additional ergonomic and injury prevention services are included
• Coverage for any shifts


How It Works
An injury triage specialist is dedicated to your facility full-time. Although the primary responsibility of the specialist is to perform On-Site Injury Triage, each specialist can perform additional ergonomic and injury prevention services at your request. The specialist integrates with your workforce and may act as liaison between employees and management.

OSHA Voluntary Protection Program
The Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) promotes effective worksite-based safety and health management. Under VPP, Management, Labor, and OSHA establish a cooperative relationship committed to a comprehensive safety and health management system. OSHA created this program for those organizations serious about reducing accidents and associated costs. Obtaining VPP Merit or Star status is OSHA’s official recognition of exemplary occupational safety and health programs.

VPP Key Elements:
• Management, Labor, and OSHA cooperation and commitment
• Conducting a Gap Analysis to determine where to start
• Submitting the VPP Application
• Methods and Strategies to Reduce Injury & Illnesses
• Efficient and effective Safety Management Systems
• Management and Labor VPP Awareness Training
• Ongoing maintenance and an Annual Report submitted to OSHA

Customizable Solutions
Regardless of which solution you may be utilize, the most important thing to remember is you will need to build a program that meets the unique needs of your business. Maybe you need something that doesn’t fit neatly into any of our existing services. Or, maybe you are not really sure what you are looking for.

Consulting Services
Look for an organization, similar to Advanced Consulting & Ergonomics who offers expertise to companies who are looking for a starting point, or need additional help to elevate their health and safety programs.

Safety Services
Look for additional safety services and training classes that are OSHA compliant and designed to help companies outsource their health and safety

Q: My company is interested in developing a Post Offer Evaluation, but we don’t have a Functional Job Description for the job. Do we need one?
A: Yes. A Functional Job Description is required before a Post Offer Evaluation can be developed. 

Q: How is a Post Offer Evaluation different from a pre-employment medical screening?
A: Unlike a pre-employment medical screening, a Post Offer Evaluation specifically measures the potential new hire’s ability to perform the essential physical functions of the job. This evaluation is used for new hire candidates and can be used for intra-company transfers.

Q: Will the Post Offer Evaluation hold up in court?
A: The Advanced Consulting & Ergonomics POE is legally defensible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Q: My company is interested in a Transitional Duty program, but our employee has not had a Fit for Duty evaluation.  Do we need one?
A: Yes. A Transitional Duty program cannot be developed without a Fit for Duty evaluation

Q: Our operation is different than most, how do we know which services are suited for our site?
A: Systems and solutions that work for some companies, may not work for others.  If there is not an existing service meeting your needs, customized solutions may be the best for you. The easiest way to determine the suitability of our services for your company is to call us at 317-390-5590 or email at info@advancedergo.net.

Q: Is there usually a travel fee for services?
A: This is determined by on a case by case basis. Factors that are considered include distance from our headquarters, and the number of services needed.

Q: How is the On-Site Injury Triage service different from an on-site nurse or health care professional?
A: In a more traditional model, when an employee is injured on the job, the employee leaves their workstation to report to an on-site health care provider. If a health care provider is not on-site, then the employee is sent off-site to a local health care facility.  Our system reduces lost-time by meeting with employees at their actual job-site and encouraging early reporting of discomfort before it becomes an injury.  Our specialists are licensed allied health care providers who treat musculoskeletal sprains and strains.

Q: When you say “health care professional,” what does that mean?
A: Currently, our injury triage specialists are Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs).  In professional and amateur sports, athletic trainers function as first responders to evaluate and treat injured athletes on and off the field.  Applying the sports medicine model to the industrial athlete is a rapidly growing area for the ATC.

Q: What happens if an employee suffers a serious acute injury on the job and we have an On-Site Injury Triage specialist?
A: Our specialists are licensed health care providers who primarily treat musculoskeletal sprains and strains.  If an employee suffers a serious acute injury (i.e. broken bone, etc…) that employee should immediately report to an occupational health center on/off-site or emergency room, depending on the severity of the injury.  Our specialists can assist in this process, however, they can only help triage the injury until appropriate emergency medical care arrives.

Q: What is the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP)?
A: VPP is a health and safety management system developed in conjunction with OSHA. For more information please visit the OSHA website.

Resources

• Videos More Info
• Web resources, associations, meeting or support groups to link to More Info
• Educational resources, certifications/training  More Info
• Articles and additional research More Info

Highlighted Partners

• Partners, products or other services available to support and service your needs More Info

Information coming soon.