Measuring What Matters! You can only manage what you measure.

As we navigate through the complexities of physically demanding jobs, one area that cannot be overlooked is the health and safety of the workforce. Over the coming weeks, I will be delving into a blog series focused on the crucial role that Functional Abilities Screens play in improving safety standards across various industrial sectors.

In jobs that require physical exertion, it's essential to minimize the risk of injuries, and one effective strategy to accomplish this is through a comprehensive Functional Abilities Screen. These assessments involve tests that measure functional movements such as squats, activities requiring core strength, shoulder flexibility, and balance. By exploring four specific areas of testing, we can begin to understand how these measurements can significantly reduce workplace injuries, enhance safe lifting techniques, and help organizations optimize their risk management strategy.

The following is a snapshot of a few areas we will be discussing during this blog series.

1. Assessing Baseline Functional Capacity: Four key areas

Functional tests are key to determining whether workers can meet job-specific physical demands. Examples include:

Lower body: These assess lower body strength and mobility, which are crucial for tasks like lifting and prolonged standing.

Core: These tests evaluate core flexibility and spinal health, vital for activities involving twisting or bending.

Upper body: This helps gauge upper body mobility and strength, especially important for overhead work or carrying loads.

Balance/Stability: These identify stability issues, which can help prevent slips, trips, and falls or missteps in the workplace.

2. Identifying Musculoskeletal Weaknesses or Imbalances

Through these Functional Ability Screens, we can uncover various issues such as:

• Mobility restrictions
• Muscle imbalances
• Poor coordination or posture
• Postural stability and more

Early identification of these weaknesses allows for targeted interventions, such as safety training or strength training, to mitigate the risk of injuries.

3. Job-Task Matching

Functional testing ensures that employees are physically suited for their specific roles. Aligning job tasks with a worker's capabilities reduces the likelihood of overexertion injuries and enhances long-term job sustainability.

4. Injury Prevention and Reduced Downtime

By identifying physical limitations before they lead to injuries, companies can:

• Reduce workers’ compensation claims
• Minimize lost workdays
• Strengthen the overall safety culture

5. Customized Training and Ergonomic Support

Insights gained from these tests can drive the development of:

• Job-specific conditioning programs
• Ergonomic adjustments to tasks or equipment
• Safe lifting and movement techniques

Functional Abilities Screens represent a proactive, data-driven approach to enhancing worker health and safety. By aligning the physical demands of a job with the capabilities of the workforce, these assessments help to reduce the risk of injuries, boost performance, and promote overall well-being in the workplace.

Stay tuned for further details in our upcoming posts, where we will dive deeper into each testing area and explore the technology, LiftSmart true 3D markerless motion capture, that facilitates these evaluations in an objective and intuitive way. Together, let’s work towards a safer and healthier workforce!