1. Dandenong the Focus of WorkSafe Inspections
Attention Dandenong employers, WorkSafe back to work inspectors will be focussing on your
area in a safety inspection initiative this month. Dandenong has been identified as one of the
regions where workplace health and safety is an area of concern, with approximately 8360
injuries reported over the last 5 years. The costs have run into the range of $197 million in
medical bills, wages and other expenses.
According to WorkSafe employers need to recognise their role in the return of injured workers
to work. But employers need not fear, the aim of the initiative is to provide guidance and
education to employers so that they can help ease workers back into the work process after
injury.
According to their website WorkSafe had this to say:
Return to Work Inspectors will be visiting employers in Dandenong over the next month
to ensure they are meeting their return to work obligations for injured workers.
Workplaces where workers have suffered an injury and have been unable to return to
work will be the primary focus for inspectors as part of the visits.
WorkSafe’s Return to Work Director, Ross Jones, said employers played a key role in
helping injured workers get back to safe work.
“We know businesses are faced with a range of competing demands but it’s essential
workplaces are addressing their legal obligations,” he said.
“Helping injured workers return to work in a safe and sustainable way can be a complex
process so our inspectors’ role is to provide guidance and advice to employers as well
as talk them through possible options.”
“We want employers to do all they can to maximise an injured worker’s chance of
getting back to work, whether it be to their original job or on modified or alternative
duties.”
“In many cases, you do not need to be 100% recovered to return to work, in fact, getting
back to work is an important part of the rehabilitation process.”
Almost 8360 injuries in the Greater Dandenong region were reported to WorkSafe over
the last five years, costing employers more than $197-million in medical costs, wages
and other expenses.
The visits come as WorkSafe plan to host a free Return to Work Co-ordinator workshop
in Dandenong later this month to help those dealing with injured workers.
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2. Those who attend the workshop on 26 July will hear from a panel of return to work
experts who will talk through how to overcome barriers in order to achieve a successful
outcome.
“Attending RTW Coordinator workshops and events help employers to improve their
return to work outcomes and lower their premiums,” Mr Jones said.
“We know that many have walked away with a more confident understanding of their
obligations and what options they have to help get an injured worker back to work.”
The event will be held from 9.30am to 11.30am at Punthill, Dandenong, 157-163
Lonsdale Street, Dandenong.
Employers are encouraged to register to the event by clicking on the ‘workshops and
events section’ at: www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/rtw
For more information on the event, please contact WorkSafe’s RTW Division on 9940
4283 or email: rtw_networks@worksafe.vic.gov.au
Source:
http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/wsinternet/worksafe/sitetools/news/ret
urn+to+work+inspectors+to+focus+on+dandenong
The complexity of the return to work process means that employers should welcome any advice
or assistance offered to them in order to know their obligations and meet them. Some of these
include making plans for the workers return by obtaining the relevant information regarding the
workers physical capabilities and what support and aids needs to be provided to the worker in
order for him/her to successfully and safely perform their duties. Make these arrangements
available to the worker involved and monitor his/her progress once they’ve resumed their
duties.
Provide the injured worker with suitable employment for at least 52 weeks if they are not able to
work or if they have returned to normal working activities. It also involves appointing a Return to
Work Coordinator who has an appropriate level of seniority. Employers need to make
information about return to work available to all workers. For host companies, they should
cooperate with the labour hire employer’s efforts to meet their return to work obligations and
facilitate the worker’s return to work as much as possible.
For more information employers can visit the WorkSafe site directly www.WorkSafe.vic.gov.au
Posted by Peter Cutforth
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