Rehabilitation Return to Work Policy & Procedures

Employers have a responsibility to:

• Provide a safe working environment
• Provide safe, suitable employment, and be actively involved in an injured worker’s rehabilitation and return to work plan
• Keep in touch with the case manager until the injured worker is doing full-time normal work (this includes notifying the case manager if there is any change in type of work or hours)

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Injured workers have a responsibility to:
• Report the injury to their employer or supervisor as soon as possible
• Seek appropriate treatment for the injury
• Provide the employer with a WorkCover Medical Certificate if they lose time from work and want to make a claim
• Participate actively in treatment and rehabilitation and comply with the requirements of a rehabilitation and return to work plan
• Undertake suitable tasks the doctor says the worker is fit to undertake, once a return to work plan is in place
• Attend an examination by a doctor or vocational rehabilitation consultant nominated by the case manager (for an assessment only)

Injured workers have a right to:

• Make an initial notification of an injury or lodge a claim for compensation
• Choose their treating medical practitioner
• Have all personal information kept confidential
• Have a representative present at any meeting to discuss any claim for compensation or rehabilitation
• Get independent advice before signing any documentation
• Get a copy of the current rehabilitation and return to work plan and be consulted in its preparation
• Have a reasonable out-of-pocket medical expenses reimbursed
• Have a interpreter
• Have a advocate

The claims agent/self-insured employer has a right to:

• Be involved in and kept informed about the rehabilitation process
• Be provided with copies of current WorkCover medical certificates, rehabilitation programs and rehabilitation and return to work plans
• Determine the reasonableness of costs
• Arrange for an injured worker to attend an examination by a medical expert
• Review and determine the income maintenance paid to an injured worker

The claims agent/self insured employer has a responsibility to:

• Determine claims and assess the need for rehabilitation promptly following a work-related injury
• Establish and approve an appropriate rehabilitation program or rehabilitation and return to work plan
• Provide appropriate rehabilitation services to injured workers
• Actively participate in planning, implementation and review of the worker’s rehabilitation program or rehabilitation and return to work with the agreed primary goal being a return to suitable employment
• Answer any queries from an injured worker or their employer regarding a worker’s claim

The coordinator has a right to:

• Ask the case manager for assistance in an injured worker’s rehabilitation and return to work
• Be supported by their employer and by other employees when performing their functions as a coordinator

The coordinator has a responsibility to:

• Maintain confidentiality in relation to an injured worker’s compensation claim
• Be unbiased and impartial in their dealings with an injured worker
• When required an Injured Worker Information Pack will be given to the employee to be completed. The treating practitioner (doctor) to complete appropriate forms as well.

We The Company are committed to returning our injured workers to safe, suitable and recongnise and accept our obligation to assist workers to stay in or return to work if injured or ill because of their work.

1. We will prevent injury and illness by providing a safe and healthy working environment.
2. We will support the injured worker and ensure that early return to work is a normal expectation
3. We will provide suitable duties for an injured worker as soon as possible
4. We will ensure that our injured workers (and anyone representing them) are aware of their rights and responsibilities
5. We will consult with our workers to ensure that the return to work process operates as smoothly as possible
6. We will maintain the confidentiality and security of injured worker records
7. We will keep the worker in employment, but if this is not possible we will give WorkCover and the worker notice of intention to terminate the employment of the worker (usually 28 days notice)
8. We will provide such facilities and assistance as are reasonably necessary to enable a rehabilitation and return to work coordinator to perform their functions under section 28D of the workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986 (the Act) and comply with any training or operational guidelines published by WorkCover for the purposes of the Act

Notification of Incidents

• We will ensure that an injured worker receives appropriate first aid and/or medical treatment as soon as possible
• All incidents must be notified to the supervisor/manager and rehabilitation and return to work coordinator as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours
• An Injured Worker Information Pack will be given to the employee if required to be completed. The treating practitioner (doctor) to complete appropriate forms as well.

• If a work-related injury occurs, the worker, employer or person on behalf of the worker should phone either the claims agent Employers Mutual Limited on
1300 365 105 or WorkCoverSA on 13 18 55 or follow own processes as a self-insured employer
• All incidents will be recorded in the incident register noting the corrective action taken, and tabled at the OH&S committee meetings annually

We The Company are committed to the rehabilitation and return to work of employees who have been injured in the course of their duties and have appointed and trained a rehabilitation and return to work coordinator to assist by:

• Maintaining contact with the injured worker and encouraging his or her return to work
• Supporting and maintaining regular communication with the appointed case manager and treating doctor regarding the return to work options of the worker
• Working with the case manager, treating doctor, other health providers and the injured worker to achieve their optimum work capacity

• When the treating doctor advises that an injured worker is capable of returning to work, we will actively participate in the development of their rehabilitation and return to work plan
• We undertake to provide suitable employment that is consistent with medical advice, and is meaningful, productive and suitable for the injured workers physical and psychological capacity
• Depending on the injured workers individual circumstances, our suitable employment may be:
– At the same worksite or a different worksite
– The same job with different hours or modified duties
– A different job
– Full-time or part time
• If suitable employment is not immediately available, we undertake to provide suitable duties as an interim measure