FAQ

• The I Workfit Technologies evaluation assesses the major muscle groups involved in performing physically demanding jobs for a statistically significant correlation to job function which demonstrates job relatedness as outlined in the ADA.
• An isokinetic evaluation provides a more objective measurement of function in comparison to any other assessment tool.
• The evaluation is not a medical evaluation as defined by ADA.
• The evaluation is non-discriminatory relative to age and gender.

The ADA specifically addresses agility and strength/fitness tests as not being prohibited under the Act.

Workfit Technologies performs all technical training for the provider network by utilizing standard protocols, equipment, training, and data analysis.  WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES interprets all data at a central location. The results are monitored and examined via numerous evaluative protocols at this central location. Evaluations indicating inconsistent data and/or questionable effort are investigated and re-administered if necessary, which enhances quality control, standardization, and defensibility.

Workfit Technologies provides storage, compilation, and monitoring of results on a continuous basis.  Although no test can guarantee a specific decrease of injuries, substantial differences have been documented between the matched worker and unmatched worker in numerous case studies.   An analysis of the WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES database by the University of Massachusetts concluded 95% of the evaluated workforce identified as physically capable of performing physically demanding jobs worked injury free.  In comparison, 75% of the evaluated workforce identified as incapable were injured.  It was concluded an accurately evaluated and matched worker is 14 times less likely to be injured than an unmatched worker.  Numerous WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES client case studies have consistently verified substantial cost savings from the technology.

WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES has a database of over 80,000 healthy industrial workers.  WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES can establish and recommend a minimum physical capability standard by analysis of the specific jobs and correlating them to the Department of Labor (DOL) Definitions of Strength Levels.  The analysis might include:

• an on-site job task analysis,
• a pilot study of the incumbent workforce, or
• matching the company’s job descriptions to the DOL strength definitions and/or to jobs already in the database.

** A database can be established on a client’s specific incumbent workforce.

The WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES normative database of over 80,000 evaluations of industrial workers is the basis for establishing the standards for specific job descriptions.  This database provides the comparison for each evaluation.  This represents the largest isokinetic database in the world.  The key to its utilization is the fact it consists of only healthy uninjured workers.  All data on injured workers is maintained in a separate database.

Minimum requirement is 50.  Any number greater than 50 would serve to enhance the defensibility of the database.

Incumbent workers can be tested, on a volunteer basis, and this data can be used to establish standards and baseline data.  You may not terminate an existing employee or place them into a lower paying job based on this data.  However, after an employer has established job standards, employees requesting job transfer to another job may be tested as long as all candidates are similarly tested.  Also you can move a person into a less physically demanding job as long as there is not a loss in pay or seniority.

Any physically demanding job, especially those jobs where injuries are most likely and/or continue to occur.  Our database consists mostly of medium, heavy, and very heavy job categories.  An employer is not obligated to test all job classifications within the company; jobs identified as high risk, and that are associated with high workers’ comp costs are examples of those an employer can test for.

Currently, WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES does not require a client to sign a contract.  The program may be started and stopped at any time.  However, to conform to the ADA and EEOC guidelines, when administering this test to new hire candidates, “all similarly situated applicants must be tested”.

Pre-placement evaluations are completed within 24-48 hours of WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES receiving the evaluation from the provider site.  The evaluation results are sent back to the client via fax.

As far as the pre-placement evaluation, the report that is sent includes information on each joint tested, comparing the candidate’s scores to scores in the expected (or target) range or to minimum requirement scores for the appropriate job or work level.  The standard index score (SIS) is determined by a regression analysis from the data of all three joints which indicates a specific work level, and is compared to an established standard for a specific job.

If the evaluation is part of the new hire process, and if the new hire candidate refuses to take the evaluation, the candidate may be disqualified contingent upon the company’s job requirements (you may need to look in to the legal ramifications).

Ask yourself, “what were my comp costs last year?”  Take your top 1 or 2 claims. What did they cost your company?  How many new hire evaluations are you projecting to do this year?   Compare the cost of testing each new hire to your comp costs last year, or even to the highest claims.  Employers who have utilized the WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES technology have realized at least a 7 to 1 return on investment for every $1 invested in the technology.

WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES has a nationwide provider network.  When gaps in service exist, WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES will research the clinics in a specific area to establish a new provider site.

This is a question each provider facility must answer.  Most providers work within regular business hours, however, WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES encourages providers to work outside of those hours when there is an increase in volume.

The ADA regulations are clear relative to physical strength/agility testing.  WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES has been challenged, but has never been taken to court.  WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES has 30 years of isokinetic technology, a normative database, standardized procedures and protocols, and numerous successful client case studies.

We have found many unions are supportive of the technology.  It must be sold as a win-win situation for both parties.  The unions like the “sports medicine” concept for their members.  The technology becomes an added “benefit” if sold correctly.  Some unions will initially accept the program for pre-placement testing, but not return to work testing, and vice versa.  We are currently working with companies who have unions and would be able to provide references if needed.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on October 10, 1995, stated, “An employer may ask an applicant to assume responsibility and release the employer of liability for injuries incurred in performing a physical agility or fitness test.”  However, more importantly, we have chosen an evaluation that utilizes isokinetic testing which is the safest way to load the musculoskeletal system.  In other words, the machine “accomodates” to the individual’s strengths and/or weaknesses by allowing the user to control the resistance.

It is also performed with the person stabilized, controlled, and under the supervision of a trained technician at the provider site.  Although the isokinetic evaluation is not risk free, there is little chance of serious injury in this type of environment.  The best feature of this evaluation is that although the client may not be able to achieve the job’s minimum requirement’s, the applicant is not at risk (by attempting the evaluation).

The equipment can only produce forces to meet the output of the applicant.   The risk is much higher when the test load in a lift test surpasses the capability of the applicant.  Failure of a lift test could injure the applicant.  WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES has been involved in many isokinetic evaluations without any injuries to any applicant or employee.

When testing isokinetically, maximal effort is highly reproducible.  The isokinetic test is a dynamic evaluation that requires movement producing force curves that are plotted along a range of motion scale.  Maximal effort will produce similar curves with respect to amplitude and shape.  Someone who is a “malingerer” or “symptom magnifier” often produces inconsistent curves indicating submaximal efforts, and possibly, attempts to withhold true physical capability.

The test is not a functional simulation test, and that is by design.  The procedure WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES uses has shown a high correlation to function, and that has been documented in hundreds of independent research studies. By evaluating the muscle groups associated with the movements of the knee, shoulder, and trunk, we are assessing the major muscle groups used in physically demanding jobs.  “Strenuous” jobs almost always use the basic movements of the knees, shoulders and back, although they may also involve other movements.  Still, these muscle groups are also often involved in the other movement patterns.

Our procedure also allows for isolation of left and right sides during the evaluation.  During functional simulation, the body has a great ability to compensate for weakness in one joint with the strength in another.  Although the stabilized isolation of joints in our evaluation may not replicate job function, it provides a more complete analysis of capability (of the individual joints involved in most gross movement patterns).

Tracking is a key component of the WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES system, as well as analyzing the employer’s injury occurrences to determine the program effectiveness.  Quarterly reports are also available on the number and type of evaluations that have been conducted with a breakdown of recommendation rates on new hire evaluations.  WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES has performed numerous case studies with very positive results (savings), which are available upon request.

Objective:  Utilizes proven physical performance technology that ensures accuracy, reliability, and validity.  Isokinetic equipment has field calibration procedures traceable to the National Bureau of Standards.  This procedure replaces human subjective evaluation with research proven technology.

Standardized:  High degree of reproducibility.  This encompasses all procedures:  protocol, equipment, training, data analysis, etc.  The evaluation is administered and evaluated in a consistent manner for all applicants.

Defensible:  The degree to which we are successful at objectivity and standardization, the higher the defensibility of the results.  The reason WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES is so particular about the procedures of the evaluation is the fact that each evaluation has the potential to be litigated.

Note that in the rare cases when you may be challenged, WORKFIT TECHNOLOGIES is available to aid you with literature, individual data obtained, group results, etc.