Best practice injury management

Tim Meadows

Industry Manager

WorkCover Queensland

Legislative amendments

• The Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 was passed in parliament in October 2013

• The main changes applying from 15 October 2013• New method in determining permanent impairment• A > 5% common law threshold has been introduced• Requirement & training for a RRTWC has changed

• The main changes applying from 29 October 2013• The way psychological/psychiatric claims are determined• The insurer is responsible for rehabilitation (including common law)• Employers can now ask workers for disclosure of pre-existing injuries

• We have a video of a webinar, and detailed presentations• Detailed information at workcoverqld.com.au/legislativeamendments

Common injuries across agriculture, construction and transport in 2013/14

• The main injuries in agriculture are 245 backs and 370 hand and fingers • The main injuries in construction are1675 backs, 1647 hands & fingers• The main injuries in transport are 899 backs and 547 shoulder/upper arm

• Back injuries remain a common injury trend

Common mechanisms of injuries in 2013/14

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ation

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culos

kelet

al

fract

ures

othe

r0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

AgricultureConstructionTransport

Industry statistics – Stay at work percentage

Data as at 31 August 2014

Industry statistics – average days to first return to work (RTW)

Data as at 31 August 2014

Industry statistics – Final RTW percentage

2012/13 2013/1486.00%

88.00%

90.00%

92.00%

94.00%

96.00%

98.00%

AgricultureConstructionTransport

Data as at 31 August 2014

Hidden Costs• Damage to machinery, repairs or replacement• downtime• hiring and training new staff• cost to individual• costs to community• business reputation

WHSQ Cost calculator http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/resources/pdfs/ind-cost-calc.pdf

Health benefits of work• Early return to work reduces the risk of long-term

disability• Injured workers who are offered suitable duties are

twice as likely to return to work• Strong evidence suggests that work absence tends to

perpetuate itself: that is, the longer someone is off work, the less likely they become ever to return

• We encourage a stay at, or prompt return to work strategy. This is possible through a suitable duties program or host employment.

The longer someone remains off work the less likely it is they will ever return. If someone is off work for:• 20 days, the chance of ever getting back to work is 70%• 45 days, the chance of ever getting back to work is

reduced to 50% and• 70 days, the chance is then again reduced to 35%.

Realising the Health Benefits of Work

Best practice injury management

When a workplace injury occurs:• notify WorkCover Queensland within eight business days

• encourage early medical attention and treatment

• make suitable duties available to your injured workers where possible

• work with WorkCover Queensland, the injured worker, their doctor and other health-care providers to develop an effective return to work program

• do not dismiss an injured worker solely or mainly because of their injury within 12 months of the injury or illness occurring.

Suitable Duties• Where possible, a ‘stay at work’ approach is best for

rehabilitation• Duties and hours at work are just as important as other

treatments• Suitable duties allow people to develop confidence by: -gradually increasing tasks back to their usual job

demands

-maintaining social contact and support

-feeling valued for what they contribute

-creating a positive workplace culture

-contributing to productivity

Think about :• What tasks are required • Are there tasks within the persons role or not• Consider tasks with different positions

(seated/standing).

What you can do

• prevention is better than cure—keep your workplace safe and prevent injuries

• be return to work focused and provide suitable duties—focus on what your worker can do, not what they can’t

• work with us to help your worker stay at, or return to work as soon as possible

• consider Recover At Work (RAW) opportunities

• communicate regularly and openly with all parties—stay in contact with your worker and check their progress

• utilise consultancy services.

Online services

Employer online• declare wages and pay your premium• view premium notices• produce a Certificate of Currency• find key dates for workers’ compensation• performance scorecards• useful links.

Our online services are free, quick and easy to use. You can access your policy information at a time that suits you. You can also lodge information online and opt to receive your policy information and updates electronically – convenient and good for the environment.

Free servicesSome ways we can help you:

• forecast your premium

• develop return to work strategies including suitable duties plans

• provide individual and industry performance analysis

• access online services

• access industry pages, films and case studies

• network opportunities with peers via industry forums

• work with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland to develop workplace health and safety initiatives

• download the worker assist app.

Contact us

If you would like more information, please call or email me:• 3006 6841• Agriculturekylie.maras@workcoverqld.com.au• Transport

tim.meadows@workcoverqld.com.au• Construction

tammy.kangas@workcoverqld.com.au

workcoverqld.com.au