ERGOS Work Simulator

Panel #4 - Standing Work Tolerance Component

Measurement Factors

• Standing/Walking — Definitive measurement of gait associated with time without load.

• Stooping — Essential tasks identified in the Department of Labor (DOL) Job Analysis format as bending the body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist. Biomechanic over loading of neuromuscular structure while stooping, for the purpose of creating measurable fatigue during standing and walking activities.

• Handling — Essential tasks identified in the DOL Job Analysis format as seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with the hand or hands (fingering not involved).

• Reaching — Essential tasks identified in the DOL Job Analysis format as extending the hands and arms in any direction.

• Feeling — Essential tasks identified in the DOL Job Analysis format as perceiving such attributes of objects and materials as size, shape, temperature, or texture, by means of receptors in the skin, particularly those of the finger tips.

• Seeing — Essential tasks identified in the DOL. Job Analysis format as obtaining impressions through the eyes of the shape, size, distance, motion, color, or other characteristics of objects.

The ERGOS^® Panel #4 creates a work-related activity to evaluate the primary effects of de-conditioning on worker performance. Standing and walking tolerances provide a strong indicator of overall body de-conditioning and diminished work performance.

The ERGOS^® Panel #4 is the most comprehensive, reproducible, and valid assessment of standing and walking work tolerance for planning work therapy and return to work. 20 work activities provide a statistical calculation of work that provides physical evidence of the effects of de-conditioning and/or injury on standing, shifting, and gait changes.

ERGOS^® Standing and Walking Tolerance creates a unique work environment that provides a worker with repetitive movement that is measurable against Methods-Time Measurement (MTM) work standards. The walking pattern can be varied to meet individual worker requirements, while maintaining valid MTM work standards. Behavioral and clinical observations, compared to objective M TM findings, enables the therapist to determine the worker's major area of complaint when returning to employment. Diminished gait, alternation of position, excessive fatigue and subjective discomfort complaints point to a pattern of excessive de-conditioning. Bar graphing techniques provide a pictorial presentation of a worker's pattern at performance for systematic analysis of injury vs. de-conditioning.

Work Therapy

ERGOS^® features the unique ability to provide both functional capacity testing and work hardening/work conditioning. The therapist-controlled procedure establishes work routines, monitored and controlled through computer instructions, to establish self-paces or job-paced (Dictionary of Occupational Titles -- DOT -- occasional, frequent, constant) regimens. Objective scoring enables a referral source to monitor progress toward full recovery and return to work.

Additional Features

* Above text and graphics Copyright © 1995 Simwork System, Inc., © 1999 Work Recovery Europa bv. Used with permission. Edited and adapted to the web by Simwork Systems of Tucson, Inc.

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Last modified: 04/20/08