Acton Early Childhood Centre

RETURN TO WORK PROGRAM FOR INJURED

WORKERS POLICY.

AIM

• To prevent injury and illness by providing a safe and healthy working environment.

• In the event of an injury, to ensure that the worker returns to work as a soon as possible after.

OBJECTIVES

• To return injured workers to meaningful employment in a timely, safe and durable manner following a workplace injury
• To provide suitable employment for injured workers so far as reasonably practical, this should be the same as, or equivalent to the employment of the worker at the time of their injury.
• To participate and cooperate with the personal injury plan established for the injured worker
• To ensure that participation in a return to work program will not in itself prejudice an injured worker
• To ensure that the employer/worker/insurer comply with all obligations under the insurer’s injury management program

ACTIONS

1. When an injury occurs :-

• The worker must notify the employer as soon as possible after an injury occurs.
• The employer’s first aid officer will assess and if appropriate treat the worker at the time of injury.
• If the worker needs further medical assistance, they will be encouraged to seek treatment from their own doctor. The doctor is to fill in the appropriate workers compensation forms.
• The worker must record their injury in the Register of Injuries.
• The employer must notify Guild Insurance within 48 hours of becoming aware of a workplace injury. Financial penalties apply for late reporting. Guild Insurance will then take action under their injury management program.
• Under the injury management program the insurer will contact the employer and the worker to advise both parties of their obligations and to ensure a safe and timely return to work.
• The employer must keep contact with the worker to ensure open communication during the workers return to work.

2 Nominating a treating doctor:-

• The worker must nominate a treating doctor who will be responsible for the medical management of their injury.
• The nominated treating doctor must cooperate in the establishment and development of the injured worker’s personal injury plan

2. Appointment of a Rehabilitation Provider:-

• When the injured worker has been or is likely to be off work for seven days or more including weekends, or if modifications are needed in the workplace so the worker can safely return to the workplace, then a rehabilitation provider must be appointed.
• When the rehabilitation provider is appointed the worker, nominated treating doctor and employer all become involved in the establishment of a personal injury plan to return the injured worker to a safe workplace where they will carry out suitable duties.

3. Finding suitable work for the injured worker:-

• The employer, in consultation with the injured worker’s treating doctor and the rehabilitation provider, will identify duties suitable for the worker to carry out within medical guidelines.
• Suitable employment for partially incapacitated workers will be meaningful and productive. These duties will be monitored and upgraded as the worker’s medical status changes. Each time there is change and/or an upgrading of hours or restrictions, the personal injury plan will be amended and will be signed off by all parties involved in the plan

4. Disputes:-

Conciliation for any part of the claims process is available for the injured worker or the employer. The employer will try to resolve any disputes by consulting with the worker, insurer and where applicable the industrial union representing the worker. If the claim is rejected the worker must consult their union representative or seek legal advice.

These policies and procedures will come into effect on agreement by the undersigned or their representatives.

Signed ……………………………………. Signed ……………………………....................

Employer Representative ………………… Workers Representative ……………….............

Date …………………………………. Date ……………………………….

Sources :- Workers Compensation Act 1951 S. 109 (1) & (3)

Incorporating Ergonomics (Rehabilitation Provider) and Guild Insurance Company.

Reviewed and revised Policy Review Committee 24-7-07.

Reviewed and revised Policy Review Committee 4-8-09.