A CS Health Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) assesses an individual’s physical capacity to safely perform tasks that are typical of their position.
FCEs may be completed as part of the recruitment process or to assess a person’s functional tolerances after an injury or illness.
FCEs are performed in a purpose-built area at CS Health offices. CS Health are specialists in performing FCEs targeted at roles within the mining industry.
Why choose CS Health?
CS Health FCEs are delivered by specialist allied health professionals, skilled in performing FCEs targeted at positions within the mining industry.
Our team understands the unique work demands and environments coal mine workers face. We have developed a suite of FCE protocols matched to job task analysis across underground and open cut operations so we can report on your worker’s capacity with confidence.
FCEs are conducted in a purpose-built assessment space at CS Health offices, using real mining equipment to replicate demanding manual tasks and support a valid, position-relevant evaluation.
CS Health prioritises protecting the health and safety of the NSW coal industry.
Our comprehensive evaluation screens for cardiovascular and musculoskeletal conditions that may affect a coal mine worker’s ability to perform their position safely. It also assesses functional performance and fitness against benchmarks to identify injury risk.
CS Health has collaborated with varied NSW mining operators to deliver FCE protocols specifically for their sites. These may be required for site access or other health and safety reasons. Please let our team know if you require a customer-specific protocol.
Current operators with site-specific protocols include:
- Whitehaven Coal
- GM3
- Centennial
Types of FCE available
A standard FCE provides position-specific assessments for underground, surface, and open cut roles.
Booking:
- our standard FCE is available alongside an Order 45 Health assessment
- some mine operations require site-specific FCE protocols. If booking for a particular mine site or employer, let us know and we will ensure the appropriate protocol is used.
A comprehensive FCE provides in-depth assessment for customers who require detailed information about a worker’s physical capacity and functional tolerances. The FCE includes cardiovascular and musculoskeletal screening, as well as whole-person fitness and functional assessment reporting.
Position-specific assessments are available for underground, surface, and open cut positions.
Booking:
- can be booked as a standalone service or aligned with an Order 45 Health assessment
- some mine operations require site-specific FCE protocols. If booking for a particular mine site or employer, let us know and we will ensure the appropriate protocol is used.
Emergency response can expose the worker to high physical and emotional demands. Including sustained physical exertion, heavy lifting, awkward postures in hot, humid environments, with poor visibility and atmospheres requiring the use of breathing apparatus. Periods of deployment may be unpredictable, affecting opportunities to eat, drink and take medication. These conditions exceed the ordinary work conditions a miner is expected to deal with.
Our ERT FCE aligns medical clearance with Mines Rescue brigade members and assesses the worker’s ability to safely perform high intensity activities inherent to the emergency response position.
Booking:
- can be booked as a standalone service or aligned with an Order 45 Health assessment
- our standalone ERT FCE requires GP medical clearance; contact us for further information
CS Health adopts the recommended FCE, scientifically developed with the University of Wollongong to assess brigade candidates’ physiological aptitude, against the demands of mines rescue duties.
Booking:
- FCEs are completed as part of a brigade member’s health assessment to support fitness-for-duty requirements
Returning to Work following an injury can be complex. FCEs conducted after a period of absence can help determine whether a worker can safely meet the physical demands of their role or provide recommendations regarding injury management and work modifications.
Our Return-to-Work FCE includes cardiovascular and musculoskeletal screening, as well as whole-person fitness and functional assessment reporting. Position-specific protocols are available, or we can customise the FCE to your job task analysis.
Booking:
- available as a standalone service
- CS Health seeks medical clearance from the worker’s GP or specialist to undertake a Return-to-Work FCE
- some mine operations require site-specific FCE protocols. If booking for a particular mine site or employer, let us know and we will ensure the appropriate protocol is used
- to book, please contact our allied health team directly.
A Return-to-Work FCE conducted by a licensed evaluator to objectively measure and report on an individual’s functional abilities, including symptom correlation scores.
This may assist in identifying limitations that are not explained by physiological findings alone.
- CS Health offers Workhab FCEs in all locations.
- to book, please contact our allied health team directly.
CS Health is a SIRA-accredited workplace rehabilitation provider and specialist FCE provider for Coal Mines Insurance (CMI).
Our Industry FCE supports injured workers seeking alternative roles within the mining industry. This protocol maps an injured worker’s functional capacity across multiple mining industry positions to identify realistic vocational opportunities.
Our Return-to-Work FCE service is also available to other compensable frameworks including Workers Compensation, Life Insurance or Compulsory Third Party.
Bookings:
- contact our allied health team directly to discuss the needs of an injured worker.
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