HELPING EMPLOYEES TRANSITION BACK TO WORK SAFELY

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Our Job Demands Analysis (JDA) services are designed to help organizations understand the physical, cognitive-behavioural, and sensory requirements of specific job roles.

Purpose:

Objective, quantifiable analysis of all the essential and non-essential job tasks, and the physical, sensory, and cognitive-behavioural requirements, to perform a specific job position.

What Does It Include?

• An overall description of the job position (i.e. objectives/responsibilities, typical shift length/cycle, breaks, staffing of essential and non-essential workers, etc.)
• A description of environmental demands and personal protective equipment on the job
• A breakdown of each physical task, including manual handling and positional requirements.
• Information about the equipment and/or tools required when performing job duties.
• The frequency and duration of each specific task.
• Objective measurements of weights, distances, heights, and forces associated with each job task.
• A customized and reader-friendly report with checklist of all physical, sensory, and cognitive-behavioral demands of the job.
• Photos of specific job tasks and equipment/tools used.
• If requested, a description of possible modified duties.

Who Completes The JDA?

• Qualified healthcare evaluator - Registered Occupational Therapist (OT)
• The OT visits the jobsite, reviews any job specific information provided by the employer (job description, safe work procedures, previous PDA/JDA, etc.), interviews the supervisor and workers, observes the job in action, and gathers objective measurements.
• The JDA is not finalized until it is verified and approved by the employer representative (supervisor, team lead, and/or manager)

What Are The Benefits Of A JDA?

The JDA is required by the Occupational Health & Safety team in the administration of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), Short-Term Disability (STD) or Long-Term Disability (LTD) claims, to

educate treating healthcare professionals, and to assess worker fitness for a position and/or workplace accommodation.

In case of workplace/non-occupational injury/illness, having a JDA inventory at the ready, can minimize the time away from work by providing medical/insurance experts with timely information about the job demands, and possibly modified duties, using JDA information as a benchmark to:

• Understand the level of physical requirement needed to complete the job effectively.
• Understand the level of psychological and cognitive requirements of the job,  to ensure the worker can perform the tasks effectively while minimizing risk to themselves and others .
• Identify barriers to resuming work following an injury or illness, risk factors and determine if job tasks, or workplace environment modifications, are necessary.
• Identify possible modified duties.
• Determine the necessary interventions for successful return to work with positive outcomes.
• Design effective rehabilitation plans.
• Develop a realistic plan for return to the pre-injury role - with or without accommodations.

Additional benefits of a JDA:

• Orienting new employees to a position.
• Confirming that a new worker is physically capable of completing the job safely.

For more information about our services or to request a quote connect with us at info@workplacesafety-ontario.com or call 416-270-3181.

Our Job Match Assessment (JMA) is used for return to work purposes and completed at the jobsite. It is often performed with the worker, worker representative (if applicable), supervisor, health & safety

specialist, return-to-work coordinator and/or claims specialist present.

Purpose:

To compare the worker's documented functional abilities (as per the employee's WSIB Functional Abilities Form (FAF), Functional Abilities Evaluation (FAE) or other current medical restrictions information) to the physical and/or cognitive requirements of a specific job/task, as outlined in a Physical/Job Demands Analysis (PDA/JDA) or a WSIB Physical Demands Information Form (PDIF).

The JMA may focus on work demands of the pre-injury job only, or address alternate work options within the organization.

Who Completes The JMA?

Qualified healthcare evaluator - Registered Occupational Therapist (OT)

What Does It Include?

• The OT visits the jobsite, reviews medical documentation (FAF, FAE, or other current medical restrictions information), reviews any job specific information provided by the employer (job description, safe work procedures, previous PDA/JDA, etc.).
• Interview with the supervisor and worker.
• Observation of the job in action.
• Collection of objective measurements (particularly if current PDA/JDA information is not available).
• A detailed report with photos is provided outlining the assessor’s observations and a description of the job requirements.

What Are The Benefits of A JMA?

• Based on a review of job demands and observation of the job tasks, versus the worker’s current medical restrictions, a determination is made on whether the pre-injury job is a match or whether a possible alternate position is more suitable .
• Accommodation is recommended where possible and practical.

NOTE: The worker must provide informed consent for participating in assessment as report is shared with the employer.

For more information about our services or to request a quote connect with us at info@workplacesafety-ontario.com or call 416-270-3181

Our Workplace Safety Assessment is used for return to work purposes and completed at the jobsite.  It can be initiated at any point in the return to work process (either prior to or during return to work program), or as part of a wellness or stay-at-work initiative, particularly when a worker experiences challenges navigating the physical workplace environment due to a progressive chronic illness, such as multiple sclerosis, where the person’s health status may be continually changing. It is often performed with the worker, worker representative (if applicable), supervisor, health & safety specialist, return-to-work coordinator and/or claims specialist present.

Purpose:

To identify and eliminate environmental barriers, when possible, that may negatively impact return to work, or ability to remain at work due to a progressive chronic illness.

Who Completes The Workplace Safety Assessment?

Qualified healthcare evaluator - Registered Occupational Therapist (OT)

What Does It Include?

• The OT visits the jobsite, interviews the worker and supervisor, observes the work area, and gathers objective information about the worker’s ability to safely navigate the physical work environment (i.e., access the workstation, access washroom facilities/breakroom, etc.).
• A detailed report with photos is provided outlining the assessor’s observations and any recommendations to improve accessibility and ensure safety within the workplace environment (e.g., modifications to washroom facilities, provision of assistive devices, removal of barriers preventing safe access to work tools, etc.).
• Accommodation is recommended where possible and practical.

NOTE: The worker must provide informed consent for participating in assessment as report is shared with the employer.

For more information about our services or to request a quote connect with us at

info@workplacesafety-ontario.com or call 416-270-3181

An Ergonomic Risk Assessment is used to identify and evaluate the risk factors associated with a work environment or specific job tasks that could lead to musculoskeletal injuries or disorders (MSDs) due to poor ergonomics.

This assessment is applicable to Non-Sedentary job positions for example Manufacturing, Industrial, Transportation, Maintenance, Healthcare, Janitorial, Construction, First Responders, etc.

Ergonomic risk factors for an individual employee, can be reviewed as part of a return to work program, after a full return to work if risk of injury is a concern, or with onset of pain when performing certain job tasks or with change in physical status. 

Ergonomic hazard assessment can also be performed to address a specific task or job role, in order to assess risk of injury for all workers.

Purpose:

To minimize the physical strain on workers by identifying areas of concern and implementing solutions to improve workplace design, task organization, and employee well-being.

Who Completes The Ergonomic Risk Assessment?

Qualified healthcare evaluator - Registered Occupational Therapist (OT)

What Does It Include?

• Review of the job description and/or Job Demands Analysis (JDA)/Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) information, if available.
• Interview with the employer and supervisor to understand concerns.
• Observation of the worker performing essential job tasks (may observe another worker in the same role for comparison).
• Assessment of ergonomic risk factors associated with lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, and reaching (manual handling tasks) using standardized tools such as the Rapid Upper Extremity Assessment (RULA), Strain Index, NIOSH Lifting Equation, etc.
• Observation and review of posture and body mechanics when performing manual handling tasks.
• Using various measurement tools (force gauges, weight scale, measuring wheel, tape measure, stopwatch) to assess the lifting/carrying, pushing/pulling and mobility requirements of a specific task/job (if applicable).
• The worker’s knowledge about basic safety in manual handling postures and techniques is assessed and education about optimal body mechanics, to reduce risk when performing manual
• handling tasks, may be provided. Recommendations may include additional instruction, ergonomic hazard prevention training, and/or supervision when performing specific job tasks.
• A detailed report with photos is provided to the employer. Accommodation or equipment modification is recommended where possible and practical.
• Follow-up assessment or education sessions may be conducted if applicable, to ensure that any recommended job accommodations and/or modifications are effective and that the worker is performing well in their role.

What Are The Benefits Of An Ergonomic Risk Assessment?

The Occupational Therapist may provide recommendations to:

• Adjust job demands.
• Alter the design and layout of the workplace or work environment
• Provide accommodations if necessary.
• Identify any training needs/gaps. 

NOTE: For assessments specific to an individual worker (versus an ergonomic assessment that generally looks at ergonomic risk factors of a specific job), the worker must provide informed consent for participating in assessment as report is shared with the employer.

For more information about our services or to request a quote connect with us at info@workplacesafety-ontario.com or call 416-270-3181

An Office Ergonomic Assessment is used to identify and evaluate the risk factors associated with an office/computer workstation that could lead to musculoskeletal injuries or disorders (MSDs) due to poor ergonomics.

This assessment can be performed at the jobsite or if working remotely, at the individual worker’s home office.  With Ontario’s recent Working for Workers Five Act becoming law, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) was updated to include remote work from home.   

Purpose:

To minimize the physical strain on workers by identifying areas of concern and implementing solutions to improve workplace design, task organization, and employee well-being.

Who Completes The Office Ergonomic Assessment?

Qualified healthcare evaluator - Registered Occupational Therapist (OT)

What Does It Include?

• Review of the job description and/or Job Demands Analysis (JDA)/Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) information, if available.
• Interview with the worker and supervisor to understand concerns.
• Observation of the worker performing computer/office tasks.
• Assessment of ergonomic risk factors associated with computer use (keyboarding, mousing), as well as any office related work involving lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, and reaching (manual handling tasks) using standardized tools such as the Rapid Upper Extremity Assessment (RULA), Strain Index, NIOSH Lifting Equation.
• Observation and review of posture and body mechanics when performing manual handling tasks.
• Using various measurement tools (force gauges, weight scale, measuring wheel, tape measure, stopwatch) to assess the lifting/carrying, pushing/pulling and mobility requirements of a specific task/job (if applicable). 
• The worker’s knowledge about basic safety in manual handling postures and techniques is assessed and education about optimal body mechanics, to reduce risk when performing manual handling tasks, may be provided. Recommendations may include additional instruction, ergonomic hazard prevention training, and/or supervision when performing specific job tasks.
• A detailed report with photos is provided to the employer. 
• Accommodation or equipment modification is recommended where possible and practical.
• Follow-up assessment or education sessions may be conducted if applicable, to ensure that any recommended equipment changes are implemented and job accommodations/modifications are effective.

What Are The Benefits Of An Oce Ergonomic Assessment?

The Occupational Therapist may provide recommendations to:

• Improve worker comfort and reduce MSD injury risk.
• Alter the design and/or layout of the workstation.
• Provide accommodations if necessary
• Identify any training needs/gaps.

Ergonomic risk factors for a specific individual worker can be reviewed as part of a return to work program, after a full return to work if risk of injury is high, or with onset of pain when performing certain job tasks or as in the case of a progressive chronic condition, with change in physical status.

Ergonomic office workstation assessments can also be performed to assess general office workstation design and risk of injury for all workers.

NOTE: For assessments focused on an individual worker, the worker must provide informed consent

for participating in assessment as report is shared with the employer.

For more information about our services or to request a quote connect with us at info@workplacesafety-ontario.com or call 416-270-3181.

An Occupational Therapy (OT) Functional Workplace Assessment may focus on the work demands of a specific job or isolated job task that may be challenging to an individual worker or pose a potential risk of injury. It can be done at any time, either prior to or during a return-to-work program, or if there are concerns related to the possibility of increased risk and re-injury secondary to an underlying health condition.

Purpose:

To address a worker’s functional abilities relative to the demands of their job and from a functional perspective, assess any safety concerns, any barriers (physical/psychological or cognitive), and ergonomic risk factors. The assessment supports a safe return to work and assists the employer to identify whether any job modifications and/or accommodations are necessary.

Who Completes The OT Functional Workplace Assessment?

Qualified healthcare evaluator - Registered Occupational Therapist (OT)

What Does It Include?

• Review of the job description and/or Job Demands Analysis (JDA)/Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) information, if available.
• Review of any medical documentation.
• Interview with the employer and supervisor to understand concerns.
• Interview with the worker to review medical history, any underlying medical conditions, current medically-advised activity/movement restrictions (as per FAF, FAE), and discuss any issues/concerns related to the physical workplace environment, equipment and tools.
• Completion of pain assessment and questionnaires with the worker, if appropriate.
• A series of standardized tests that measure the worker’s strength (manual muscle testing, hand-held dynamometer for grip strength, pinch gauge), flexibility (range of motion measurement), endurance (6-minute walk test), and coordination. Cognitive screening may be performed if appropriate.
• Observation of the worker performing essential job tasks (may observe another worker in the same role for comparison).
• Assessment of ergonomic risk factors associated with lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, and reaching (manual handling tasks) using standardized tools such as the Rapid Upper Extremity Assessment (RULA), Strain Index, NIOSH Lifting Equation, etc.
• Observation and review of posture and body mechanics when performing manual handling tasks.
• Using various measurement tools (force gauges, weight scale, measuring wheel, tape measure, stopwatch) to assess the lifting/carrying, pushing/pulling and mobility requirements of a specific task/job.
• A detailed report with clinical observations and assessment summary is provided to the employer (photos may be included). Accommodation is recommended where possible and practical.
• Follow-up assessment or education sessions may be conducted if applicable, to ensure that any recommended job accommodations or modifications are effective and that the worker is performing well in their role.

The OT Functional Workplace Assessment provides both quantitative and qualitative data from a functional perspective, to determine:

• The worker’s functional ability to perform essential job tasks.
• The supports, strategies and equipment that will enable functional success.
• Possibility of an alternative role that may be more suitable due to changes in cognitive or physical status.

What Are The Benefits of An OT Functional Workplace Assessment?

The Occupational Therapist may provide recommendations to:

• Facilitate safe return to work.
• Guide injury prevention strategies.
• Adjust job demands.
• Alter the design and layout of the workplace or work environment.
• Provide accommodations if necessary.
• Identify any training needs/gaps (can the worker benefit from additional instruction, training or supervision to ensure safe workplace procedures are correctly implemented? does the worker require a review of optimal body mechanics or safe manual handling techniques?).
• Seek additional clarification from a medical specialist about the employee's capacity to return to or carry out their pre-injury position.

NOTE: The worker must provide informed consent before their personal health information can be collected from or shared with the employer.

Please note that diagnosis and prognosis are beyond the scope of this assessment and are deferred to a medical specialist. The assessor cannot make a determination about causation of impairment. The worker’s capacity to perform the essential job tasks would be discussed specifically from a functional perspective.

For more information about our services or to request a quote connect with us at info@workplacesafety-ontario.com or call 416-270-3181