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Our Solutions
Occupational Health
Pre-employment Functional Assessments
A pre-employment functional assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of a candidate’s physical abilities to determine if they can safely and effectively perform the essential tasks of a specific job. Evaluating an individual’s capacity to meet job demands is critical to safeguarding their health and well-being in the workplace.
These assessments help ensure the right fit between a worker and their role within your organization. They can also reduce the risk of workplace injuries, streamline onboarding processes, and minimize associated costs.
Upgrade Health offers two primary types of pre-employment functional assessments. Both can be completed using our standard templates or tailored to match your organization’s existing documentation:
Musculoskeletal Assessments
- This assessment includes a detailed screening of an individual’s musculoskeletal health, reviewing any previous injuries or medical conditions that could impact job performance. Our experienced health professionals provide thorough analysis, feedback, and recommendations to assist with candidate placement.
Musculoskeletal and Fitness Assessments
- For roles requiring elevated physical endurance or cardiovascular fitness, this assessment evaluates an individual’s ability to perform tasks under higher physical demands. Recommendations are made based on their cardiovascular fitness levels to ensure they meet the role’s requirements.
We also provide Job-Specific Functional Assessments that can be aligned with your organization’s existing Job Dictionaries or Job Task Analyses (JTA). If no such documentation is available, Upgrade Health can collaborate with you to develop tailored job-specific assessments that meet your needs.
Fitness Testing
Fitness testing serves a variety of purposes within an organization, from assessing the physical suitability of candidates for specific roles to measuring the overall fitness levels of your workforce. Establishing a fitness baseline can help guide future training programs and monitor progress over time.
Testing can be customized to meet your organization’s requirements, with common assessment options including:
- Chester Step Test
- 3-Minute Step Test
- Beep/Shuttle Test
- Upper and Lower Body Strength Tests
- Grip Strength Test
- Functional Testing – Includes assessments of prolonged positional demands or lifting capacity.
At Upgrade Health, our accredited exercise physiologists specialize in conducting fitness tests tailored to individuals or large groups. Our expertise ensures thorough and accurate assessments to support your workforce health and performance goals.
Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs)
Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) provide employers with a detailed understanding of an employee’s current physical abilities and help determine their readiness to return to work.
An FCE involves a structured series of assessments designed to measure a worker’s capacity to perform the key physical tasks required for their role. By comparing the employee’s physical abilities with the demands of their pre-injury position, FCEs support recovery planning and workplace reintegration.
Key Features of an FCE:
- Duration: Typically conducted over 2-3 hours.
- Location: Assessments can be completed in-clinic or at the workplace, depending on requirements.
Comprehensive Reporting
At the conclusion of the evaluation, a detailed report is provided, summarizing the assessment findings along with actionable recommendations. The report includes:
- Injury history and current symptoms
- Details of ongoing treatment and management plans
- Overview of medical information provided
- Employee’s readiness and willingness to return to work
- Current physical capacity and limitations
- Ability to perform essential job tasks and role requirements
- Recommendations for recovery progression, including suitable duties, hours, and additional treatments to support a safe and sustainable return to work.
Upgrade Health is committed to delivering thorough Functional Capacity Evaluations that support employees’ recovery and assist employers in making informed return-to-work decisions.
Drug and Alcohol Screening
Employers have a duty of care to safeguard the health and safety of their workforce while minimizing risks in the workplace. Drug and alcohol screening is an effective tool to support this responsibility.
Upgrade Health offers:
- Testing procedures compliant with current Australian Standards
- Confirmation testing conducted by NATA-accredited laboratories
- Screening tests performed by qualified and experienced collectors
Our professional and reliable screening services help employers maintain a safe and productive work environment while meeting their legal obligations.
Confined Space Physicals
Confined spaces are areas not designed for continuous human occupancy and can present significant health and safety risks to workers operating within them. Examples of confined spaces include vessels, tanks, silos, pipes, tunnels, pits, and equipment housings.
Upgrade Health provides confined space medical assessments specifically designed to evaluate a worker’s medical and physical capacity to perform tasks in confined space environments. These assessments ensure workers can operate safely and without risk of developing or exacerbating injuries or medical conditions.
Spirometry / Lung Function
Spirometry is a straightforward test used to assess and monitor lung function by measuring the amount of air a person can exhale in a single forced breath. The test is performed using a device called a spirometer, which connects to a mouthpiece to capture and analyze airflow.
Spirometry testing is commonly conducted for workers exposed to airborne particles, such as dust, and is an essential component of Health Surveillance programs. It is particularly relevant for roles like spray painters and powder coaters who may be exposed to isocyanates.
Wellness Workshops and Seminars
At Upgrade Health, our multidisciplinary team of allied health professionals specializes in designing and delivering engaging occupational health and wellness workshops. Tailored to organizations of all sizes and industries, these workshops provide valuable insights while motivating employees to improve their health, performance, and overall well-being.
Our goal is for participants to leave each session feeling empowered, with actionable strategies to achieve their personal and professional goals.
Tailored Workshops to Meet Your Needs
Workshops can be customized to align with your organization’s specific requirements. Examples include:
- Manual Handling Training
- General Wellbeing and Disease Prevention
- Health Risks Associated with Sedentary Lifestyles
- Exercises and Stretches for Workers
- Ergonomics and Workplace Adjustments
Partner with Upgrade Health to inspire and equip your workforce with the tools and knowledge to thrive.
Ergonomic Assessments and Training
No matter the job requirements, comfortable and satisfied workers are more likely to perform at their best and avoid work-related injuries. Small adjustments to workstation setups, task execution, and break utilization can significantly improve a worker’s long-term health and productivity.
Upgrade Health provides a range of ergonomic solutions designed to enhance workplace safety and efficiency, including:
- 1:1 Comprehensive Assessments – Personalized evaluations to address individual ergonomic needs.
- Interactive Group Presentations – Informative sessions to educate staff on best ergonomic practices.
Investing in ergonomic solutions demonstrates your company’s commitment to prioritizing employee health, safety, and overall well-being.
Injury Prevention Solutions
Job Task Analysis (JTA)
Understanding the key demands of a job—including physical, psychological, cognitive, behavioral, and environmental components—is essential for both employers and employees. Without this clarity, tasks such as recruiting the right candidate or facilitating the safe return to work of an injured employee can become challenging.
Job Task Analysis (JTA) involves a detailed evaluation and breakdown of the specific demands associated with a particular role or task in the workplace. Conducted by Upgrade Health’s experienced physiotherapists, who have in-depth knowledge of workplace environments and expertise in movement observation, JTAs help organizations:
- Identify the inherent requirements of a role
- Support pre-employment screening
- Facilitate effective return-to-work planning
When multiple JTAs are completed, they can be compiled to create a Job Dictionary, providing a comprehensive resource for managing workplace roles and demands.
Manual Handling Training
Reduce workplace musculoskeletal injuries with practical, realistic, and engaging manual handling training designed to drive positive behavioural change within your workforce.
Whether it’s stacking shelves, working on a production line, or entering data into a computer, most roles involve performing some form of manual task. Poorly designed or incorrectly executed manual tasks can become hazardous, leading to significant or even irreversible injuries and disorders if risks are not identified and managed.
At Upgrade Health, our human movement specialists deliver engaging, hands-on training sessions that:
- Educate employees about the risks of incorrect manual handling techniques.
- Provide practical strategies to ensure tasks are performed safely.
- Help minimise the risk of workplace injuries and improve long-term employee health.
Empower your workforce with the knowledge and skills to work safely and efficiently while reducing injury risks.
Injury Prevention Programs
Many workplace injuries can be easily prevented with proactive strategies. Implementing stretching and warm-up programs for employees is an effective way to improve flexibility, increase blood flow, and reduce stiffness, pain, and discomfort.
When conducted regularly, these programs not only support physical health but also foster stronger connections between team members and promote a shared sense of purpose within the workforce.
Allocating dedicated time each day for employees to participate in stretching and warm-up activities is a critical investment that:
- Reduces the risk of lost-time injuries
- Boosts overall employee well-being
- Enhances workplace productivity and morale
By prioritising these simple yet impactful routines, organisations can help keep their workforce healthy, engaged, and injury-free.
On-site Physiotherapy
Managing workplace injuries and illnesses can be challenging. At Upgrade Health, we specialise in addressing these issues to keep your team moving, focused, and on track, while also implementing preventive measures to reduce future occurrences.
Our on-site physiotherapists provide high-quality, early intervention care directly at your workplace to effectively manage both work-related and non-work-related injuries.
Benefits of On-Site Physiotherapy:
- Reduced Lost Time and Transport Costs: Employees save time and costs associated with travelling to and from physiotherapy appointments.
- Encourages Early Reporting: Easy access to physiotherapy services encourages employees to report symptoms early. Immediate clinical assessment of musculoskeletal conditions allows minor issues to be addressed before they escalate into recordable injuries.
- Familiarity with Workplace Operations: Our physiotherapists gain in-depth knowledge of your organisation’s roles, processes, and potential hazards, allowing for tailored injury management and prevention strategies.
- Workplace Observations: Assessing injured employees in their work environment helps identify contributing factors and enables practical solutions.
- Improved Morale and Well-Being: On-site physiotherapy demonstrates a commitment to employee health, boosting morale and fostering a supportive workplace culture.
By investing in on-site physiotherapy, organisations can proactively manage injuries, reduce downtime, and promote a healthier, more productive workforce.
Workplace Rehabilitation
Third Party Claims
Third party physiotherapy plays a critical role in helping individuals return to work and recreational activities as quickly and safely as possible. At Upgrade Health, we are dedicated to supporting our third-party patients through every stage of their recovery journey.
Upgrade Health is an approved physiotherapy provider for Third Party Claims, including:
- Workers’ Compensation
- Compulsory Third Party (CTP) claims
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) injury claims
We provide comprehensive care, from early pain management to preparing individuals for a successful return to occupational and recreational activities.
Our Services Include:
Workers’ Compensation
Our physiotherapists are fully trained and accredited to treat under the Workers’ Compensation scheme. We take the time to thoroughly understand the nature of each injury, its impact, and the steps required to achieve recovery. Alongside injury treatment, we offer occupational conditioning to support patients in safely transitioning back to work.
Compulsory Third Party (CTP)
Recovering from a motor vehicle accident can be physically and psychologically challenging. Our experienced physiotherapists provide structured treatment plans tailored to the unique needs of CTP patients, offering clear explanations, compassionate care, and targeted rehabilitation to promote recovery.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
Physiotherapy is essential for injury management and rehabilitation among members of our defence forces. Whether you hold a White Card or Gold Card, our physiotherapists work with you to restore physical function and fitness, enabling a return to the physical demands of your role and daily life.
Collaborative Approach for Optimal Recovery
Building strong relationships with employers is key to achieving the best outcomes for injury management. By maintaining regular communication, we ensure a thorough understanding of the injury and the physical demands of the individual’s role. This collaborative approach allows us to:
- Develop targeted treatment plans
- Support a safe and timely return to partial or full work duties
- Enhance recovery outcomes and minimise delays
At Upgrade Health, we are committed to delivering high-quality care and effective communication to help injured individuals regain their health and get back to the activities that matter most.
Work Hardening Programs
When injured workers achieve their short- and long-term goals through physical or occupational therapy but remain unable to return to work due to functional deficits or deconditioning, a more advanced level of therapeutic intervention may be required. These programs are specifically designed to facilitate a safe and successful return to work, particularly for workers in medium to high physical demand roles.
Workers who benefit most from these programs are typically:
- At least 30 days post-injury
- Preparing to return to roles with moderate to high physical demands
Upgrade Health’s Work Hardening Programs are:
- Highly Structured – Targeted interventions that follow a clear, goal-driven approach.
- Individualised – Tailored to address the unique needs of each worker.
- Outcome-Focused – Designed to bridge the gap between recovery and the physical demands of the workplace.
These programs provide workers with the tools, conditioning, and support required to achieve a safe and sustainable return to their roles.
Suitable Duties Plans
A Suitable Duties Plan is a formal rehabilitation document outlining the necessary restrictions and adjustments to ensure an injured or unwell employee can safely return to work.
Key Information Included in a Suitable Duties Plan:
- Days and Hours of Work: A structured schedule detailing workdays and hours for each week.
- Tasks to be Performed: A clear outline of tasks that can be safely completed during each stage of recovery.
- Work Restrictions: Specific limitations, such as weight limits or the maximum number of repetitions permitted.
- Job Modifications: Adjustments made to work processes or environments to support recovery.
- Manual Handling Recommendations: Guidelines and restrictions to ensure safe lifting, carrying, and other manual tasks.
Once developed, a Suitable Duties Plan serves as a formal agreement between all relevant parties, clearly documenting the terms, responsibilities, and expectations for the employee’s return-to-work rehabilitation process. This ensures alignment and supports a successful and sustainable recovery.
Injury Rehabilitation - Preferred Providers
With a team of highly experienced clinicians, a wide range of treatment services offered under one roof, and a growing network of clinics across Australia, Upgrade Health is the ideal partner to support the health and well-being of your company’s most valuable asset – its people.
We are committed to building strong, long-term partnerships with organisations of all sizes. By understanding the unique needs of your business, we can develop tailored solutions that deliver meaningful outcomes and promote a healthier, more productive workforce.
Let’s work together to create a mutually beneficial partnership that supports the success of your organisation and its people.
