Does Your Small Business Have an Injury-Management Plan?
The best type of workplace injury is one that remains strictly theoretical. Certainly, the possibility of an accident is acknowledged, with best working practices implemented to reduce the likelihood of one occurring, but of course the eventuality of a worker being injured while on the job can never be entirely ruled out. Larger corporations are likely to already have a carefully drafted injury management plan that can be activated if someone were to suffer an injury in the workplace, but this might not be the case with smaller businesses that only have a handful of employees. And yet such a plan is not only necessary and beneficial, but it might also be mandatory in your state or territory. So what does a small business need to ensure is covered when drafting an injury-management plan?
Medical Assistance
Medical care might need to be immediately provided after an accident. The type of medical care can obviously vary depending on the severity of any injuries, and in some cases, emergency services might need to be summoned. For less severe injuries, it can be prudent to have the contact details of a nearby medical practice.
Emergency Contact
You should have access to an emergency contact person for each of your employees. This allows you to contact them in the event that your employee has been incapacitated by the accident.
Appropriate Certificates
Your employees should be aware of the need for a Certificate of Capacity (or comparable applicable certificate). This can be supplied by their own doctor, or even by the attending doctor in the event of a serious accident. The certificate is simply formal notification that the employee will be unable to carry out their duties for an anticipated period of time.
Compensation Claims
If a worker's compensation claim is to be made, you should supply your employee with the necessary paperwork and then submit it to your insurer along with any other requested documentation (which can be a report of the accident, along with the Certificate of Capacity).
Returning to Work
You might need to accommodate the employee's temporarily reduced capacities when they return to work. This can include allowing reduced working hours or lighter duties.
An injury-management plan doesn't have to be complicated, but it is necessary. Provide copies to all employees once the plan has been created. If you're unsure about your obligations in terms of the injury-management plan, you might wish to consult a consultant or the Department of Fair Trading in your state or territory.
