Definitions

The Matheson System is an affiliation of allied health and safety professionals who approach ergonomic evaluation, work capacity evaluation, and rehabilitation from a common philosophy. Our affiliation allows us to contribute to the long-term success of occupational rehabilitation and ergonomic evaluation by training therapists and safety professionals to become "thinking evaluators". The premise of serving fairly the needs of the worker and the employer/fee payer guide our philosophy. Not being dependent upon the need to sell a canned evaluation package or a line of evaluation equipment gives us the freedom to pursue our philosophy rather than pursing a manufacturing goal.

Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is used by physicians, case managers, and employers to transition injured workers from disability to function and employment. FCE is the single most reliable measure to determine if a successful return-to-work is possible - as it is inherently a thorough and accurate evaluation process that documents an individual's residual physical abilities, level of effort expended during testing, reliability of reports of pain and limitation, and it is an overall gauge of feasibility for employment.

Ergonomic Evaluation is a work station or task evaluation designed to measure a job’s potential for injury or fatigue. The evaluation is based on the applied science of ergonomics, which maximizes productivity by designing equipment and work flow to reduce operator fatigue and discomfort. Standardized risk assessment tools are used to quantify risk. The evaluation takes place in both industry and office settings.

The cornerstone of an informed hiring program is to ensure that an applicant’s physical abilities match the demands of the job. For any organization that places applicants in jobs with high levels of physical exertion or dexterity, or jobs with a history of injuries, Post-Offer, Pre-Placement Testing and Job Analysis (PPT) is a crucial step in avoiding injury and its associated costs.