Preemployment physical examinations. Report of a pilot program

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health Policy
• Workplace Safety

Background:

• Costly workers' compensation claims prompted Arizona to implement a preemployment physical exam program.
• The program targets state jobs to mitigate financial burdens from injury claims.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a preemployment physical exam program in reducing workers' compensation claims.
• To establish job-specific medical and physical guidelines for high-risk state positions.

Main Methods:

• Conducting thorough job analyses to determine physical requirements and working conditions.
• Establishing medical/physical guidelines tailored to specific job classes.
• Implementing preemployment physical examinations based on these guidelines.

Main Results:

• The program is projected to yield net annual savings exceeding $208,000.
• Savings are specifically attributed to a reduction in workers' compensation back injury claims.

Conclusions:

• Preemployment physical examinations, when job-specific, can significantly reduce costly workplace injuries.
• Arizona's program demonstrates a successful model for mitigating workers' compensation costs through proactive health assessments.