Minnesota Occupational Health’s Work Performance Centers are dedicated to preventing and reducing workplace injuries. One of the key ways we achieve this is through our physical abilities tests (PATs), which assess prospective employees’ physical capabilities before they start employment. These tests measure flexibility and strength to ensure candidates can safely perform the essential job functions of a position for which they are being hired.
Our team completes thousands of PATs each year for employers in a variety of industries, from construction and manufacturing to law enforcement and firefighting.
Inquire About Our Services
What Is a Physical Abilities Test Used For?
A PAT is a proactive tool used to confirm that a candidate or returning employee can meet the physical demands of their specific role. These tests serve several vital purposes:
- Decreasing the likelihood of “Day 1” injuries that lead to expensive medical claims
- Ensuring that hiring decisions for physically demanding jobs are based on objective, job-related criteria rather than assumptions (in compliance with federal laws)
- Identifying whether a candidate’s physical strength or range of motion could increase their risk of a workplace injury
- Reducing turnover by placing employees in roles where they are physically likely to succeed long-term
What Does a Physical Abilities Test Consist Of?
Every PAT is customized to the specific job description provided by the employer. At our Work Performance Centers, we use work simulation to mirror the actual movements required on the job site.
A standard assessment may include:
- Aerobic capacity (cardiovascular endurance): This tracks the heart’s ability to handle sustained exertion, such as walking a large facility floor or climbing several flights of stairs throughout the day.
- Initial resistance strength (muscular power): This focuses on “breakaway” force, such as the burst of energy needed to loosen a rusted bolt or pry an object loose.
- Postural stability (balance): We assess a candidate’s ability to maintain their balance in challenging situations, such as standing on a ladder or navigating uneven surfaces on a construction site.
- Range of motion (flexibility): These tests ensure a worker can safely reach, bend or twist—vital for tasks like installing overhead fixtures or working in cramped industrial spaces.
- Repetitive movement stamina (muscular endurance): We assess how well a worker handles tasks that require continuous motion, such as repeatedly pulling items from a conveyor belt or using hand tools over a long shift.
- Static and dynamic force (muscular tension): These evaluations measure your employee’s ability to safely push, pull or lift weighted objects without straining.
When Should a Physical Abilities Test Be Done?
We recommend scheduling a PAT at the following stages:
- Post-offer, pre-employment: Once a conditional offer is made, a PAT ensures the candidate is physically cleared to begin work.
- Return-to-duty: After an extended leave or a significant injury, a PAT verifies that your employee can safely resume their original duties.
- Internal transfers: In this stage, an employee moves from a sedentary role to a physically demanding one.
A PAT is typically a pass/fail evaluation based on the requirements of the job. However, if a candidate struggles with a specific task or your job requirements change, we provide additional support through a job site analysis.
Physical Abilities Tests at Minnesota Occupational Health
Minnesota Occupational Health provides a streamlined and clinically driven approach to workforce safety for businesses in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. With five convenient locations—Coon Rapids, Eagan, Shakopee, St. Paul/Midway and Woodbury—we make it easy for employers to access high-quality physical abilities testing services that keep your employees safe, healthy and productive.
Let Minnesota Occupational Health connect you with the occupational health services you need. Call (651) 968-5300 or contact us today to learn more about our services.
Work Performance Team
Lisa Peirson OTR/L
Midway/Blaine"Work Performance Testing, Work Conditioning, Functional Capacity Evaluations, Job Task/Site Analysis"
Morgan Sanken MA, OTR/L
Eagan"Work Performance Testing, Work Conditioning, Functional Capacity Evaluations, Job Task/Site Analysis"
Jessica Haller-Chew OTR/L
Shakopee"Specializes in: Work Performance Testing, Work Conditioning, Job Task/Site Analysis"