(1) To provide and maintain an Injury Management System for employees injured at work, which achieves the earliest possible, safe return to work. (2) To provide comprehensive clear guidelines for all UWS employees, in order that they may comply with their legal responsibilities for Occupational Rehabilitation as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 and Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998. (3) The following definitions apply for the purpose of this policy: (4) The University of Western Sydney is committed to the prevention of injury/illness through the provision of a safe working environment by successful management of occupational health, safety and welfare. (5) The University's Injury Management program includes: (6) The Injury Management Policy will be reviewed annually. The review will involve assessing the effectiveness of the policy by: (7) This policy applies to all staff of the University. (8) To provide safe systems at work, training and equipment to prevent injuries (9) To have in place an agreed Injury Management Policy. (10) To make available and develop individual Return To Work Plans in consultation with the injured staff member, Manager/Supervisor, Injury Management Coordinator, treating doctor, Rehabilitation Provider as applicable, and where requested by the staff member, their Union Representative. (11) To produce the Injury Management Policy in printed form and display it prominently (12) Promptly notify OHSIS Unit of all work injuries in accordance with injury reporting procedures (13) Notify the Injury Management Coordinator of all relevant information which could effect the management of a work injury (14) To participate in the consultative process (15) Be actively involved in the implementation and monitoring of and ensure compliance with the Return to Work Plans (16) To provide appropriate ergonomic work equipment as recommended by the treating physician (17) To notify their immediate supervisor/manager of any injury within 24 hours and to promptly provide ongoing medical advice/medical certificates and rehabilitation status (18) To provide completed documentation as required (19) To take reasonable care in the performance of work so as to prevent work-related injuries to self and others (20) To cooperate with the employer to ensure meeting Injury Management obligations imposed by the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998. (21) Promptly to report all absences relating to any compensable injury and provide supporting WorkCover NSW medical certificates. (22) To cooperate and show commitment towards the process of Injury Management. (23) To undertake all the activities agreed to as part of their Return to Work Plan. (24) To cooperate in reasonable workplace changes designed to assist rehabilitation of fellow staff members. (25) To support the return to work of the injured person and to create a positive accepting environment. (26) Not to hinder aid to an injured staff member. (27) Not to interfere with or misuse equipment provided for their health, safety and welfare. (28) To cooperate in reasonable workplace changes designed to assist rehabilitation of fellow staff members. (29) To ensure completion and submission of relevant documentation for insurance purposes. (30) To comply with all time frames for lodging of work injury documentation. (31) To liaise and cooperate with the insurer and treating doctor/specialist to monitor progress of work injuries in relation to claims management, injury management and benefits payable. (32) To provide information on the return to work process and associated workers compensation benefits to injured employees. (33) To create and maintain confidential case records in line with WorkCover's confidentiality guidelines. (34) To establish regular routine claims management review meetings with the insurer. (35) To liaise with senior management regarding progress of relevant claims. (36) These procedures cover the requirements associated with Injury Management from the time of injury through to effective return to pre-injury duties. The procedure covers: (37) To ensure all legislative requirements under the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 are met. (38) To ensure all staff are aware of their rights and responsibilities under the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998. (39) To ensure effective claims management. (40) Compliance with the established Accident/Incident Reporting System by: (41) Reporting of accidents/incidents that result in an injury, with or without time lost, is essential. The established Accident/Incident Reporting System is to be used by staff who are injured, re-injured or become ill in connection with their work at the University. (42) The Injured staff member must: (43) The manager/supervisor of the injured staff member must: (44) The Injury Management Coordinator must: (45) Until the claim has been assessed by the insurer, the staff member will be paid against their available sick leave, annual leave or long service leave, as requested by the staff member. The staff member must complete a leave application form in order to authorise the utilisation of available leave, stating "please use my sick leave/annual leave/long service leave whilst worker's compensation claim is pending". (46) If there are no leave credits available, then the staff member will not receive wages from either the University or Insurer unless the claim is accepted. (47) If the claim is accepted, then the leave used will be re-credited to the staff member's leave balance by the Office of Human Resources. Any wages owed to the staff member will be paid by the Office of Human Resources. EML will send a cheque to the staff member's home address for all medical accounts that the staff member has paid. (48) If the claim is not accepted (disputed) leave will not be reimbursed. All accounts will be returned to the staff member for payment. The Insurer will send the staff member a letter together with information explaining the staff member's right to request conciliation with the WorkCover NSW. (49) Legislation states that an injured staff member may be required to attend a medical examination(s) conducted by a doctor chosen by the University and/or EML. The purpose of these examinations is to ensure that the staff member is receiving appropriate medical treatment and to facilitate a prompt return to work. (50) The OHSIS Unit is to advise the injured staff member of the need to attend the medical appointment giving at least 24 hours notice. The staff member must confirm with their manager and the OHSIS Unit their attendance. (51) If a staff member refuses to attend a medical examination, the legislation dictates that compensation payments may be suspended until an examination takes place. The staff member may incur the cost of the non-attendance fee. (52) A staff member, working full time hours, is entitled to attend medical/treatment appointments for work-related injuries/illnesses during work time. Appointments are to be made either at the beginning or towards the end of the shift. If disruption is unavoidable the staff member must discuss this with their manager/supervisor prior to appointments being made. (53) Staff members undergoing rehabilitation on reduced normal hours are expected to make appointments outside these reduced hours. If this is not possible the staff member must discuss this with their manager/supervisor prior to appointments being made. (54) Staff members must provide certificate of attendance for all medical appointments/treatment including physiotherapy in order to receive pay for time lost. (55) Note: The Insurer will pay for reasonable time to attend medical appointments. Please consult the Occupational Health Safety and Information Services Unit if clarification is required. (56) A recurrence or aggravation claim is not automatically accepted. The Insurer will reassess the claim. (57) Nil.Injury Management Policy
Section 1 - Purpose and Context
Section 2 - Definitions
Top of Page
Section 3 - Policy Statement
Part A - Responsibilities
Senior Management
Managers/Supervisors
Employees
Colleagues
Injury Management Coordinator
Occupational Health, Safety and Inforamtion Services Unit
Section 4 - Procedures
Part B - Scope
Part C - Objective
Part D - Immediate Action (within 24 hours)
Part E - Required Activities/Processes
Part F - Payment of Wages
Part G - Medical Appointments
Part H - Attending Medical Appointments during Working Hours
Part I - Recurrence or Aggravation of Injury
Section 5 - Guidelines
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