Process / pipelineoccupational-capacity

Work Ability Questionnaire Extended

The Work Ability Index (WAI) measures workers' capacity to perform their current job given their health status, job demands, and life circumstances. Developed by Finnish occupational health researchers, the WAI captures the dynamic relationship between personal capacity (physical fitness, mental health, skills) and job demands, identifying workers at risk of sickness absence, work disability, and early retirement. The WAI is a leading indicator for occupational health intervention, used in occupational health surveillance, rehabilitation, and aging worker management.

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Sources

  1. Tuomi, K., Ilmarinen, J., Jahkola, A., Katajarinne, L., & Tulkki, A. (2006). Work Ability Index (2nd ed.). Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. ISBN: 978-952-5283-22-9
  2. Ilmarinen, J. (2007). Work ability: A comprehensive concept for occupational health research and practice. Scand J Work Environ Health, 35(5), 1–5. DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.1097

Related methods

ScholarGateWork Ability Questionnaire Extended (Work Ability Index Extended (WAI)). Retrieved 2026-06-04 from https://scholargate.app/en/occupational-health/work-ability-questionnaire-extended