TOOL BOX TALKS

1
TOOL BOX TALKS

• RTW and Injury Management Program

2
Commitment to Prevention

• New WHS laws commenced January 1, 2012 which
  our organisation needs to implement
• Emphasis is on consultation with workers to
  identify any potential hazards and implement
  effective controls
• Hazard and Incident reporting systems available
• Equipment and workplace inspections and checks
  prior to use should be followed

3
Commitment to Early Intervention

• Workers Compensation System is in place to ensure
  that any injured worker is supported whilst they
  recover from their injury.
• Supervisors/managers, injured worker and treating
  doctors all need to work as partners in problem
  solving, decision making and planning to ensure
  provision of appropriate treatment including the
  allocation of suitable duties
• Australasian Faculty of Occupational Physicians
  has found that work is generally good for health
  and wellbeing
• Therefore communication is the key to early
  intervention.

4
Injury Prevention

• If you are unwell or injured prior to commencing
  work speak to your supervisor and discuss if it
  is suitable for you to work either normal or
  modified duties.
• If you are uncertain about how to perform a task
  or use equipment safely ask for training from
  your supervisor or a work colleague
• If you feel unsafe due to client behaviour or due
  to the demands of the tasks or the environment
  report the problem immediately to your supervisor

5
If an incident occurs

• An incident is anything unexpected which either
  causes an injury or has the potential for causing
  an injury
• All incidents must be reported as soon as
  practicable by (insert mechanism)
• If you are injured you must seek first aid
  attention this may be applied by yourself or a
  first aider in the majority of cases
• If you require medical attention you must ring
  your supervisor immediately

6
Medical attention

• You can choose your own doctor or for convenience
  attend a doctor near work
• You should take an introductory letter to your
  doctor whenever possible or advise your
  supervisor of who you will see so they can fax a
  letter
• Advise your doctor that suitable duties are
  available at your workplace and can be adjusted
  to your injury needs
• Your supervisor/RTW Coordinator may attend
  appointment or will speak to you afterwards
• Obtain a WorkCover medical certificate and
  provide to supervisor immediately

7
Workers Compensation

• Our organisation holds a workers compensation
  policy
• The workers compensation premium amount is based
  on the number of employees and the cost incurred
  with any claim. These costs are actually applied
  to the premium for 3 years.

8
Suitable Duties

• Your skills and knowledge are valuable and can be
  utilised during your recovery by
• Modifying your normal duties e.g. reducing the
  amount of walking or pushing or changing work
  posture
• Modifying work hours or time spent on particular
  tasks
• Utilising you in a support/training or ancillary
  role
• Suitable duties are short term modifications
  usually upgraded over time to normal duties

9
Other Entitlements

• Workers Compensation will also cover
• medical costs,
• prescription costs and
• treatment costs