Pre-Employment Musculoskeletal (MSK) Assessments

Did you know it takes 7 times the resources to hire a new employee than it does to maintain an existing one?

When shopping for an important purchase, we often ask our networks for recommendations and are on the lookout for a lemon. In the same way, when you and your company invest significant time and effort in the hiring process, you want to ensure your candidates are physically fit, have no lingering issues, and can perform the required tasks.

You benefit from engaging an independent specialist who will provide impartial recommendations regarding your candidates' physical capacity.

Esperance Physiotherapy is the preferred provider of MSK Assessment services in Esperance for Prime Occupational Health, Konekt, JobFit, Carepoint Health, and Work Solutions. Pre-employment MSK assessment is used by a range of mining companies, service contractors, fabricators, and local government organisations. These assessments indicate an applicant's physical capacity and suitability for specific work, as outlined by you.

With a completed Pre-Employment MSK Assessment report in hand, employers can make a more informed decision about a candidate's suitability for the prospective job and provide a baseline of the employee's physical capacity at that snapshot point in time.

Areas assessed include;

Past injuries & general health
Aerobic fitness
Upper and lower limb strength
Upper and lower limb flexibility
Spinal strength & flexibility
Lifting capacity and technique

Team Educational Sessions

With over 43% of injured workers not receiving on-the-job OH & S training, employers need to do more. Like CPR, manual handling, and risk identification need to be continually reaffirmed, to keep them at the front of employees' minds. Education sessions, posters, toolbox meetings, role-playing, and problem-solving scenarios are all useful tools.

Feedback from participants attending a customised Manual Handling Program;

"Staff reported thoroughly enjoying the manual handling training and found it most beneficial in that it reminded them to GET BACK INTO FITNESS! Some staff have already begun walking in the mornings by coming into town an hour earlier, when they can, and spending 3/4 hours walking along the lovely foreshore. The staff are more motivated to find ways to develop or regain fitness levels and become healthier overall.

The majority of staff felt that the workshop was quite informative, and many responded extremely well to the movement being included, with regular opportunities to stand up and get the blood flowing as opposed to sitting for long periods and feeling drowsy.

Staff are consciously putting the learnings from the training into practice. For example, whilst sitting at their desks, they are much more conscious of adopting a more S-shaped posture, as opposed to a 90-degree sitting position, and of getting up and moving regularly if sitting for long periods. Staff report that these changes are helping them to be more alert and focused on the job at hand.

Staff found the manual handling training interesting, and some are following up to look into procuring adjustable tables for the workplace. Staff felt that, for personal health, it is good to get up, walk around, and stretch during the day. Since completing the training, Many staff have made their workstations much more ergonomically appropriate for answering the phone and accessing notes. The staff has noted that it only takes a few simple changes to help them be calmer and more comfortable in the workplace."

Katrina Stewart – Team Leader - Bay of Isles Community Outreach Inc

Examples of educational sessions available

The Human Spine

We come to your workplace and, using a combination of computer technology, human models, and practical demonstration, provide an interactive session on the following key areas:

The nuts and bolts: Anatomy & Function of your Spine
Appreciation of your Spine
Correct Lifting & Ergonomics
Who is Responsible
Lift Twice Principal
Posture & Preventive Exercises

Pre-Work Out - Fitness at Work

This workshop looks at injury prevention, and part of this involves setting up individual health programs, both at work and at home. The fitter and more health-conscious employees are less likely to become an injury statistic.

This interactive presentation covers;

Work Warm-up
Goal Setting & Heart Measurement
Flexibility Guidelines & Stretches
Strength Guidelines & Exercises

Ergonomic Assessments

We can arrange on-site visits by a physiotherapist to assist new staff in correctly setting up their workstations, advise on appropriate equipment, and discuss the importance of regular exercise breaks to minimise postural fatigue. Existing staff who are experiencing neck or back pain will also benefit from this professional input.

Early Intervention Program

This initiative is designed to quickly assist injured employees. Research shows that early injury management improves return-to-work outcomes.

As a large number of workplace injuries involve the musculoskeletal system, physiotherapists are ideally placed to provide early treatment, advice, and employer feedback. Appointments are usually available within 24 hours.

This physiotherapy-based program entails 4 or 6 visits. During this time, your employee's injury will be assessed and treated, and a determination will be made about their ability to return to work. This will be communicated to your company.

This physiotherapy program was designed in response to large employers who wish to provide physiotherapy services to employees with musculoskeletal injuries without initiating a workers' compensation claim.

Your Benefits

No waiting for GP appointments
Assessment & treatment on the day by movement specialists
No reported claim
No lost time injury statistics
No extra paperwork
XR and a sick certificate can be provided as required

Physiotherapists can legally provide Sick Certificates for injuries they treat if your employee is unable to complete their normal work duties. We can also arrange X-rays if necessary and recommend a medical review if required.

Call us on 90715055 to discuss any aspect of your Injury Prevention Program