Pre-employment screening is an important part of any injury prevention and safety management plan and one of the first steps a business should take when wanting to decrease workplace injuries and claims. Performing a thorough physical and medical assessment of potential employees helps business owners determine whether or not the individual can meet the physical demands and rigours required of the role without incurring injury. 

Often, an individual is hired for a role that they don't have the physical capacity or correct training to perform safely and, as a result, they are vulnerable to musculoskeletal injuries. The impact of even a simple injury on the worker can be significant, reaching beyond the physical injury itself, and rehabilitation can be challenging.  More sever or complicated injuries can have lifelong consequences. 

For employers, this also means a WorkCover claim, a subsequent Return to Work Program and the potential to effect morale Data from Safe Work Australia shows that in 2019 alone, there were 114,000 serious worker’s compensation claims made in Australia, and with the average claim costing an employer $5,800, this can add an incredible amount of financial stress and administrative burden on a business owner. Further to this, once an employee has been off work for just 45 days due to injury, the likelihood of their return to work reduces to just 50 percent. 

This research also reveals that 43% of serious workplace claims are due to traumatic joint, ligament, muscle and tendon injuries and 41% of serious claims are due to manual handling while lifting or carrying objects. These most common workplace injuries have the potential to be prevented by conducting thorough and tailored Pre-employment Screenings. 

When is Pre-Employment Screening useful? 

Pre-Employment Screening should be used during the initial hiring process to ensure potential workers are able to safely and competently complete the tasks required of the role without injury. They can also be utilised to tailor induction and training to suit the needs of the individual hire. For example, some workers may need to commence in lighter work functions for a number of weeks as "work hardening" if they have not recently been in a role that requires demanding manual labour. 

It is also an incredibly important tool that can be used as the basis for a sound Return to Work program, to ensure any returning employees are able to perform their duties without aggravating a previous injury. By performing a thorough medical assessment and involving a Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist if needed, an employer can give their returning employee the best chance of successfully and safely performing the role, in turn reducing the chance of another workplace claim and absenteeism, while improving retention and loyalty. 

What does a Pre-Employment Screening involve? 

As well as screenings that identify an employee's work-history, conducting reference checks, and drug and alcohol testing, Acclaimed Workforce partners with FPES to conduct pre-employment screening and post-injury management assessments that can significantly reduce the chance of workplace injury. Led by one of the world’s foremost musculoskeletal experts, Dr Martin Raftery, FEPS has adopted sports medicine philosophies into the workplace environment, creating innovative systems that continuously reduce workplace claims and safety costs for employers. 

FPES Performance Consultant Murry Wardle explains how the creation of the Screen-SAFE® technology in 2008 has revolutionised the way employers are able to integrate high volume screening into their recruitment processes. 

"At FPES Australia, we understand the demands of the semi-skilled industry, which has high volume recruitment needs and casual or short-term labour requirements," he says. 

"In this way, our Screen-SAFE® technology allows us to quickly identify applicants with current physical restrictions, those potentially ‘at risk’ of sustaining musculoskeletal injury, or those who may reaggravate pre-existing conditions once they commence work." 

"Once an individual’s functional capacity is assessed, we pass on the information employers need to make an informed decision as to whether a role is physically appropriate for that specific individual, or if certain tasks may need to be adjusted." 

By working alongside Acclaimed Workforce, employers are able to easily access these professional pre-employment screening services, and receive assessments that are tailored to their workplace and specific job requirements. You can find out more about our pre-employment screening services, or to contact us to learn more, here.