Outcomes of the Introduction of a Standardized Fitness-for-Duty Evaluation of Commercial Truck Drivers on the Incidence of Low Back Injuries and Workers Compensation Costs

Introduction
Recognizing that musculoskeletal injury is common among commercial truck drivers, both employers and insurers are employing the functional capacity evaluation (FCE) as a tool to assist in decision-making regarding appropriate job placement of these commercial truck drivers as well as return to work duty after an injury. The hope being that if properly placed, there will be reduction in injury and subsequent workers compensation costs. 
In an effort to reduce the rate of low back injuries and associated workers compensation costs, in 2003 a trucking company incorporated a standardized fitness-for-duty evaluation of drivers by adding FCE to the already established and traditional DOT physical examination. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of this standardized fitness-for-duty pre-placement evaluation on low back injury and on workers compensation costs. 

Methods
Questionnaires, functional testing and manual muscle testing were used to evaluate commercial truck drivers by the trained physical therapists (PT), which was taken into consideration by a provider performing DOT physical exam. Incidence rates of low back injury and associated workers compensation costs from 1999-2006, three years before and after the intervention, were determined

Results
There was a 54% reduction in low back pain incidence with an associated 45% decrease in workers compensation costs from 1999 to 2006. 

Discussion
This intervention appears to be effective in reducing low back pain associated workers compensation costs.