Work hardening is a program that focuses on a goal of returning the injured worker to productive employment through a regimen of physical conditioning, work simulation, education, and psychological support (Kielhofner, 1992; & Petersen, 1995). This report focuses on aspects of the work hardening program.
Work hardening is described as applying to the rehabilitation phase of returning the industrially injured worker to the workplace. Worker's compensation deals with growing numbers of injured workers; work hardening has become a successful service. Work hardening is defined by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF); programs are interdisciplinary with conditioning tasks that are graded to progressively improve the biomechanical, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, metabolic, and psycosocial fitness of the individual with real or simulated work activities. Work hardening programs have standards which include a comprehensive approach addressing biomedical and psychosocial problems, graded work simulation, and a coordinated interdisciplinary team (Beissner, Saunders, & McManis, 1996; Feuerstein, Callan-Harris, hickey, Dyer, Armbruster, & Carosella, 1993; Hertfelder & Gwin, 1989; & Petersen, 1995).
Industrially injured workers are the largest group benefiting from work hardening programs. Others who benefit are all injured workers, employers, insurance carriers, and rehabilitation counselors. The goal of the program is to insure a safe transition into the work force. Individuals with physical tolerances that do not allow the return to a former work position should be referred to work hardening. Programs are found at free standing facilities, outpatient rehabilitation centers, work site programs, rehabilitation facility programs, and in areas of high concentrations of industry (Hertfelder & Gwin, 1989).
Within the continuum of the patient care, work hardening is conducted by occupational therapy p...