Overview of an Injury Management System

Overview of an Injury Management System

Injury management is the term used which covers all the activities used by any business when an accident occurs that injures a worker.

This process includes:

• Treatment, which includes first aid, notification process, accident investigation etc

• Rehabilitation, which includes claims process, return to work plans, medical treatment etc.

• Retraining of injured workers

• Claims Management

 

All employers must establish a return to work program. Please note there are two employer categories

 

Category 1 employer is :

• An employee whose base tariff premium exceeds $50K pr annum, or

• An employer who is self- insured, or

• An employer who is insured by a specialise insurer and who employs more than 20 workers

Responsibilities of a Category 1 employer

• Must employ an accredited return to work coordinator or alternatively apply for an gain approval from Worker before sharing or engaging a return to work coordinator

• Must develop a return to work program in consultation with employees

• Must display the return to work program

 

Category 2 employer is any employer who is not Category 1. These employers can adopt the standard return to work program (available from WorkCover or their insurers)

Each state has different specific requirements however basic Injury Management Systems are required throughout the company.

Some questions employers need to answer about their Injury Management System.

 

• Who has the responsibility of notifying your insurance company if an injury / accident occur?

• Are all your supervisors and employees aware of their responsibilities when an injury / accident occur?

• Does your company spend more then $50K on basic Workers Compensation Insurance?

• If yes do you a have an accredited Return to Work Coordinator on site?

• If yes do you have a Return to Work Program displayed or available to all staff?

• Are you aware of when and how you must inform the relevant state authority of an incident / injury?

• Do you know the time frame for notification of all injuries?

• Do you know what your claims cost are within the workers compensation premium you are currently paying?