return to work Flashcards
sedentary work
OCCASIONALLY: 10 lbs
FREQUENTLY: negligible force to lift, carry, push, pull objects
- sitting mostly
- may walk/stand briefly
light work
OCCASIONALLY: 20 lbs
FREQUENTLY: 10 lbs
CONSTANTLY: negligible force to lift, carry, push, pull objects
- walking/standing significantly
- sitting mostly but pushing/pulling arm or leg controls
medium work
OCCASIONALLY: 20-50 lbs
FREQUENTLY: 10-25 lbs
CONSTANTLY: more than negligible to 10 lbs
heavy work
OCCASIONALLY: 50-100 lbs
FREQUENTLY: 25-50 lbs
CONSTANTLY: 10-20 lbs
very heavy work
OCCASIONALLY: 100 lbs +
FREQUENTLY: 50 lbs
CONSTANTLY: 20 lbs
frequency of work tasks
never: does not exist
occasional: occurs 1/3 of the day
frequent: occurs 1/3-2/3 of the day
constant: occurs 2/3 of the day
ergonomic interventions at the workplace
administration controls, work practice controls, engineering controls
how to prevent repetitive injury/muscle strain
frequent stretch breaks, movement away from static posture
primary injury prevention
- healthy individuals
- no injury
- worksite evaluation, ergonomic intervention/training
EX: educational program for ergonomics, promote better positioning at work through modifications and weight belts
secondary injury prevention
- at risk for injury
- early detection
- prevent
EX: adapting the home of a man recovering from a THR
tertiary injury prevention
- already affected
- nonreversible injury requiring intervention
EX: water exercise program for people with MS
vocational evaluation
info about individual capabilities/interests for new work situations/seeking new work
core of all return to work programs
functional capacity evaluation (FCE)
what does a FCE include?
job demands analysis
FCE
objective assessment of person’s ability to perform work-related tasks (include worker’s limitations)
- assess physical demands of work as defined by O*NET (can refer to employer-provided job description)
- review med records
- interview
- musculoskeletal screening
- evaluate physical performance
- make recommendations
- generate report
Labor’s O*NET
source of job demands, requirements, characteristics for all job classifications
work hardening
structured, biomechanical/remedial approach
-interdisciplinary
- actual task replication
- individualized & outcomes focused
- work simulation & conditioning exercises to increase strength/endurance in work-related skills
- adapted work activities & grading activities (hierarchy of functional return)
freq: 5 days a week (add an hr each week until reaching 8 hrs)
Week 1: 4 hrs
Week 2: 5 hrs
Week 3: 6 hrs
what is an interdisciplinary approach to work rehab?
work hardening
what is a biomechanical work rehab approach?
work hardening, work conditioning
what is an adjunct to work hardening?
vocational retraining
work conditioning
restore neuromusculoskeletal function, return to work, limited work tasks, exercise, aerobic conditioning, education
- BEFORE work hardening
- only 1 discipline
- nonspecific, job simulated tasks (carrying, pushing, pulling), strengthen muscles specific to job tasks
- monitor for overexertion/fatigue, adjust program
- frequency: 1-3hrs a day, 5 days per week, 1-3 months
order of work rehab programs
work conditioning –> work hardening
work rehab that focuses on 1 discipline
work conditioning
light or modified duty programming
- temporary less physical demands at work, gradual add on of duties
- advocate for early return to work
- designated staff trained to monitor workers adjustment/tolerance to work tasks
- work with employer for workplace mods, maintain in productive work capacity during progressive recovery
