Human resources professionals understand how important it is when hiring staff to get the best possible fit between the applicant and the job. You spend time and money examining an applicant's skills, background and character. There are physical aspects to many jobs that place specific requirements on the candidate, which should be addressed at the earliest possible time. Pre-employment testing and analysis can not only uncover substance or alcohol abuse but can also help determine whether a candidate has the overall physical capacity to do a specific job safely.
Different jobs require different degrees of physical capacity. Some jobs involve repetitious movement; some require lifting. Creating functional job descriptions is a good way for a company to have job applicants properly screened from the point of view of physical capacity. Fitting the right applicant to each job, based on the exact physical requirements of the job, reduces the risk of future injury and helps minimize lost time. And this can help protect the company's bottom line.
One aspect of industrial medicine involves testing the demands of a specific job and recommending body mechanics for the job to help prevent injury. This often involves on-site analysis. Another important way to prevent injury is through education. If workers are taught ways to avoid injury, the risks can be reduced.
Injuries don't occur only on the factory floor. Some injuries can be caused by repetitious movement. The risk of carpal tunnel, for example, can be reduced through education. Special hand therapy can help if injuries occur or, even better, prevent the onset of injury. Back and shoulder pain can be avoided by paying attention to the ergonomics of a particular job function and recommending equipment or work methods that minimize strain to the body.
Smart companies care about their employees' safety and well-being. They are also mindful of the need to minimize lost time due to injuries. By taking advantage of the industrial medicine skills of a hospital-affiliated rehabilitation center, companies can achieve their goals of minimizing injury in the workplace. In addition to benefiting the bottom line, this also helps improve company morale. Because a healthy employee is a happy employee.
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