Importance of Injury Management Programs and Rehabilitation Services in Australia

1. Importance of Injury Management Programs and Rehabilitation Services in Australia Research carried in several parts of Australia demonstrated that the longer an employee stays away from his/her work, the less likely they are to make a full return to their original job in Australia. Getting injured employees back into their jobs quickly is not only good for the employer and business but it has positive effects for workers too. Small businesses in Australia may face disruption, reduced productivity and increased workers’ compensation insurance premiums when their workers are away for an extended time from their jobs due to a work-related injury. WorkCover injury management programs in Australia precisely focuses on early reporting, rehabilitating and return-to-work strategies for the purpose of assisting the injured workers make an early and safe return to work. Injury management programs do not have to be complex and should aim to help to assist employees to return to work safely and quickly. Moreover, it should also assist businesses to understand and meet their legal obligation. What are Legal Obligations for Employers in Australia? Each employer in Australia must establish an injury management system. The name and contact details of the person with day-to-day responsibilities for the injury management systems must be included in the injury management system documents. An employer with multiple workplaces may nominate a person at each workplace for this role. WorkCover WA inspectors can ask to view the documentation system. If the system has not been properly established, a penalty may apply for the employer.

2. What is Injury Management? There are three basic steps for safe and effective injury management in Australia. 1.Preparing Your Workplace Employers need to develop an injury management system. For that, they need to first select their injury management coordinator. Secondly, they are required to decide on steps they will take when a worker is injured in their workplace. Furthermore, employers also need to inform the workers about the injury management system and they are required to evaluate and monitor the injury management system on a regular interval of time. 2.Dealing with an Injury First of all, they need to provide first aid to the worker who is injured during a workplace-related incident. Once the employee is admitted to a hospital or medical centre, an employer needs to contact the doctor who is treating the injured employee. After that, they should help workers complete their workers’ compensation claims. During the time the employee is recovering from his/her injury, an employer must support the injured workers both financially and emotionally. 3. Helping the Worker Return to Work Employers will need to establish a return- to -work program or request their insurer to do so. They will also need to specify the return-to-work goals for the injured employee. They should carefully identify alternative, modified or restricted duties for the injured employee. They will also need to monitor and update the return-to-work program to the concerned investors. Employers in Australia are needed to communicate with their injured workers and their doctors on a regular basis. Workcover Rehabilitation Services

3. Many well-reputed service providers in Australia offer return-to-work and Workcover rehabilitation services for employees who have suffered a work-related injury and have unable to work for more than four weeks. It is crucial to understand that the WorkCover rehabilitation programs are precisely designed and developed to help injured workers return to work safely and efficiently. It can be done by providing them with proper pain management to reduce their physical pain. The work-related fitness levels of the employees can also be improved through the rehabilitation program. These programs will also facilitate strength and conditioning programs for assisting injured people with their pre-injury work duties. These programs will also employee strong communication strategies between the employee, employers, general practitioner, rehabilitation providers and the insurance company. Specialists from the service provider will prepare employee through physical conditioning tailored specifically to their circumstances while educating them on injury management. It will ensure the re-entry of the employee into the workplace is safe and timely.