Work hardening is a program designed to help people return to work after an injury or illness. It helps people build up their strength, endurance, and flexibility so that they can safely and effectively do their jobs. It is an intensive individualised program that is designed to help injured workers return to work by restoring their work-related function and tolerance. It is a holistic approach to assist with successful return to work.
A Work Hardening programme consists of:
- Real or simulated work activities
- Specific job tasks based on their job, injury and work restrictions
- 2-5 three hour sessions per week
- Strength training
- Endurance training
- Flexibility training
- Cognitive training
- Psychosocial intervention
- Job modification and adaptation
- A work re-integration programme