Fitness for Duty Testing

Overview

This testing is similar to Post-Offer Testing but is conducted for employees returning to work following an injury or prolonged illness. This testing is also job-specific and non-discriminatory.

Goals 

• Provide objective information to support medical release for injured workers returning to heavier physical demand job descriptions.

• Identify workers at continued risk for musculo-skeletal injury.

• Establish a safe physical demand range and define reasonable accommodations for worker’s unable to safely return to their prior job demands.

• Educate workers in safe materials handling techniques.

Procedure

1. Job specific information is gleaned from a job description or functional job analysis identifying the “critical physical demands” to be tested.
   


2. An evaluation protocol is established which includes: consent form, test explanation, musculoskeletal evaluation, functional tasks, minimum scoring criteria, and release of results.
   


3. A summary report that states whether the critical physical demands were “met” or “not met” along with any recommendations to the employer regarding test results.
   


4. THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFE PLACEMENT AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION DECISIONS REMAINS WITH THE EMPLOYER.

Duration

Approximately 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of critical physical demands and required work patterns to be tested.