An FCE is an evaluation which documents the employee’s current ability to perform work from a physical, medical, behavioural and ergonomic perspective. The assessment can be used to evaluate an employee’s capacity following a work or non-work related injury to ensure a safe return to work and progression of suitable duties in a timely and appropriate manner. Computerised recording of results ensures objectivity and accuracy.

An FCE may be used as a source of information for:

• Assessing the worker’s capacity to meet the physical demands of specific duties
• Developing return to work programs
• Reporting key observations in relation to appropriate and inappropriate activities and behaviours
• Making recommendations about interventions such as safe manual handling and other actions which will facilitate return to work
• Specifying duties including proposed return to work duties or different duties.

Testing covers range of movement, flexibility, sustained position tolerance, repetitive movement tests in bending, overhead reach and squatting, lifting, push and pull, grip strength, sitting, standing and walking tolerance, ability to implement appropriate body mechanics during manual handling. A 24 hour pain picture is included as is test validity. A comprehensive report is provided within 10 working days.