Injury Management

1.0 Introduction

The University undertakes injury management with employees following a compensable work related injury illness or disease. The implementation of the UWA Injury Management Guidelines is undertaken in accordance with the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 1981.Assistance may also be given following a non work-related injury.

Injury management is defined as a workplace managed process incorporating the employer and medical management team, from the time of injury to facilitate an efficient maintenance in or return to suitable employment. It is acknowledged that effective injury management:

• provides physical, psychological and financial benefits to employees
• minimises disruption to work
• reduces costs to all concerned

2.0 Objective of Injury Management

• To establish a clear process for all staff following injury, illness or disability.
• To facilitate the safe and early return to meaningful work for injured employees through communication with all relevant parties.
• To ensure injured employees receive early and accurate medical assessment with the involvement of a vocational rehabilitation provider as required.
• To encourage the co-operation of management and colleagues of the injured person in order to provide a supportive social environment within the workplace.
• To assist the employee to return to their pre-injury position or another position within the University where possible. If neither of these options are possible, external work positions may be sought.

3.0 Injury Management Process

3.1 Injury Occurs

• Injured Employee attends doctor. The Doctor will issue a Workers Compensation First medical certificate which will outline guidelines for return to work or if time off work is required.
• Employee completes the first page of the Incident report form. First page of the Incident report form and First medical certificate faxed to S&H on 6488 1179 immediately.
• As appropriate, the Doctor and supervisor discuss suitable return to work duties available to the employee. A Return to Work Plan is filled out by the supervisor as required. This must be supported by appropriate medical certificates.
• Employee returns to work noting the restrictions by doctor and return to work plan guidelines. If the supervisor or employee has any concerns, contact can be made with Injury Manangement Co-ordinator in the Safety and Health

Supervisor and employee sent Workers Compensation forms by Safety and Health for immediate completion. Workers compensation forms and completed incident report form returned to Safety and Health.

3.2 Ongoing Mangagement

• The supervisor is to be kept informed as to progress via further Progress medical certificates. Once certificates have been seen by the supervisor, these are then forwarded onto the Safety and Health.
• If there is any difficulty returning the employee to work or maintaining them at work, the Injury Management Co-ordinator should be advised and a Vocational Rehabilitation Provider may appointed to assist.

3.3 Finalisation

Please see the injury management flowchart for a summary of the process.

Once the employee has returned to normal duties or a suitable alternate position and is no longer requiring medical treatment, injury management will cease and the claim should finalised with a Final Medical certificate. If injury management/vocational rehabilitation is unsuccessful then it may cease prior to the claim being finalised.

4.0 Injury Management Team - Responsibilities

As part the injury management process, a number of people may be involved to maximise the injured workers recovery. All parties should be working towards a mutually agreed upon goal. These people include:

Injured employee - Should be actively involved in the injury management process and the decisions made with the rest of the team. Information on rights and responsibilities are outlined in the brochure Injury Management and the Injured Worker.

• Manager/supervisor - These people play a key role in ensuring the success of injury management. They are required to liaise with the employee, treating doctor, and injury management co-ordinator /rehabilitation provider on a regular basis. They are also required to provide suitable duties for a return to work program as specified by the doctor. See Injury Management and the Employer for more information.
• Medical/paramedical practitioners - They are required to provide suitable information to advise the employee and employer of return to work requirements and provide treatment to assist injury recovery. This may include referrals to specialists for review /treatment and liasing with rehabilitation providers.
• UWA Injury Management Co-ordinator/Occupational Therapist - Provides assessment and recommendations to the injury management team to assist the return to work process. Provides information and support to all parties to assist in the injury management process.

Other parties that may become involved include:

• Vocational rehabilitation provider -If long term support is required a vocational rehabilitation provider may be appointed in conjunction with the employee, employer and doctor.
• Union/safety representative - may act as an advocate as required.
• Insurer - may be involved as part of the management of the workers compensation claim.

5.0 Return to Work Programs

The University will endeavour to provide appropriate duties for a return to work program wherever possible, as part of the injury management process. All return to work programs and changes to them must be approved by the treating doctor.

If the employee cannot return to normal duties immediately, "alternative duties" may be provided. These may include:

• Pre- injury duties on a part time basis.
• Modified pre-injury duties (part or full time).
• Supernumerary (assisting others).
• Different duties in the same or different area.

Alternative duties are provided on a temporary basis only. If an employee is required to gain an alternative permanent position within the University, normal recruitment procedures apply. Training and assistance can be provided to assist in this process as part of the injury management plan.

6.0 Disputes

If issues can not be resolved within UWA, the employer or employee can refer unresolved matters regarding workers compensation and injury management to Conciliation and Review Directorate at WorkCover WA.

Further support is also available through the UWA Employee Assistance Program

7.0 Confidentiality

The injury management process is confidential and all records relating to injured employees will only be made available to authorised persons.

8.0 Training

Information and training for all interested parties can be provided through the Safety and Health.

9.0 Contacts

UWA Injury Management Co-ordinators

Safety and Health

Ph: 6488 2784

Workcover Infoline:

Ph: 9388 5555

Internet: www.workcover.wa.gov.au