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Making WorkCover Work for You!VCOSS Congress

John Knowles

Cambridge OHS Consultant

August 2009

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Premium

Premium based on:

Funds needed to run the scheme

Industry rate

Remuneration (wages, superannuation etc)

For large employers:

claims rate and claims costs

If your claims rate is above industry rate = penalty

If your claims rate is below industry rate = reduction in premium

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Saving Premium Costs

You control:

Number of workers compensation claims

Why do people make a claim on workers compensation instead of using sick leave? – discussion

Length of period off work when ill or injured

Why do people want to return to work? - discussion

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Employer’s duties – Accident Compensation Act 1985

Display If you are injured poster

Keep and use a Register of Injuries

Lodge any claim served on you within 10 days to your workers compensation Agent

(preferably with an Employer Injury Claim Form)

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If $1 million remuneration OR workers compensation claimant:Appoint Return to Work Co-ordinatorDevelop Occupational Rehabilitation ProgramDevelop Risk Management Program(templates in WorkSafe Victoria’s The Return to Work Guide for Victorian Employers)If worker likely to be away from work for total of 20 days or more, must develop Return to Work Plan and Offer of Suitable Duties

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Accident Compensation Act 1985

Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007

Carry out an investigation to reduce the risk of subsequent injury of that kind = find the hazards that contributed to the injury / illness

Pro-actively identify hazards (anything that could cause harm)

Assess the risk of further injury or illness

Assess the risk that each hazard will result in injury or illness

Develop controls to reduce the risk of injury or illness

Develop controls

Review and monitor the effectiveness of the controls and ensure no further hazards created

Review and monitor controls

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Return to Work Stakeholders

Injured or ill worker

Return to Work Co-ordinator

Workers compensation Agent claim manager

Work supervisor / manager

Fellow workers

Those providing medical or psychological treatment

Ingredients of success? - discuss

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Note on discrimination and workers compensation recipients

Those on workers compensation right to receive compensation for their injuries and illness and to be treated courteously and with respect

Apart from that – do not have ‘rights’ beyond those of any other worker

Eg subject to same performance management and disciplinary regime as co-workers

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Social Equity in the Workplace

Employers are expected to balance:

Resident/customer/client rights with Employee/Agency staff/ contractor rights to a working environment that is safe and without risks to health

Including free from occupational violence and harassment – whether intentional or unintentional

Discuss

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Cambridge Services to clients - FREE

OHS and psychosocial advice by telephone and email, including legal compliance (NOT a legal opinion)

Client seminars – see handout (not all free!)

CD of SafetySheets – handout

SafePAK for small business – templates of OHS policies, procedures, checklists, forms

Advice on small number of your policies and procedures

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Cambridge Services to Clients – Fee for Service

Walk through hazard audits

Audits of policies and procedures (OHS, psychosocial, injury management)

Training – tailored to your needs - stress management, bullying, violence, injury management, manual handling, chemicals, transporting clients, wellness programs etc

Projects – work with you on OHS, psychosocial and injury management

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VCOSS can arrange FREE 3 hour OHS consultancy

FREE, confidential service

Available for community organisations with up to 50 employees

On your request, supplies information about OHS hazards (rating each high, medium or low risk) and OHS management systems (including policies and procedures needed for legal compliance)

3 hours at your premises, then writes a report for you

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Consultants are selected by VCOSS for their knowledge of community services

Contact: laura.mondon@vcoss.org.au or telephone Laura on 9654 5050