The last decade has seen more than 1,140,000 Australian workers make a serious workers’ compensation claim that involved over a week of lost working time – one in every 12 workers. It’s a considerable and significant statistic. Without these workplace injuries and illnesses, 185,500 additional full-time equivalent jobs would have been created and workers across all skill levels and occupations would’ve received an average pay rise of 1.3%.
All workers are entitled to a safe and healthy working environment. However, workplace illnesses and injuries can still happen across all occupations and industries despite observing stringent safety practices. The impact isn’t just limited to the injured or ill worker; the ramifications are also felt by their families and the community they belong to.
According to the State Insurance Regulatory Agency (SIRA), the government body that regulates the three statutory insurance schemes in NSW which includes Workers’ Compensation, the following are the steps that the employer and employee must take after a work-related injury occurs:
• The employer must provide first aid and the injured or ill worker must seek medical treatment if the injury or illness requires it;
• The injured or ill worker must advise the employer of the work-related injury as soon as possible;
• The employer must provide the injured or ill worker with the details of the company’s insurer.
• The employer should notify the insurer about the incident within two days or 48 hours. However, the injured or ill worker may also inform the company’s insurer.
5 Key Steps to Do After a Workplace Accident
1. Seek medical attention
This is especially relevant if the injury or illness necessitates prompt medical attention. Call emergency services if necessary.
2. Report the incident
Inform the employer, supervisor, or manager of the illness or accident as soon as possible and provide accurate details on what occurred.
3. Document the incident
Take photos of the scene of the accident, injuries sustained, and hazardous conditions that may have contributed to the mishap or accident.
4. Fill out an incident report
Complete an incident report form with the date, time, location, and contributing factors of the mishap or accident. The employer should provide the report.
5. Comply and get involved in the investigations
Cooperate with the investigations to be conducted by the employer or relevant authorities. This will help determine the causes of the accident or illness and will be instrumental in preventing similar incidents from happening again.
Workplace Accident Prevention TIPS
Managers and employers can implement workplace injury and accident prevention strategies to help make their workplace a safer and healthier environment for their employees. These include the following:
- Provide proper training
Aside from providing first aid kits and access to facilities, ensure that there are personnel trained to administer first aid. This can be done either of two ways: provide basic training in First Aid and CPR for employees or hire a certified first aider.
Training employees on how to enforce stringent safety measures and protocols in the workplace and working safely can go a long way towards ensuring that accidents or illnesses are prevented. First Aid qualifications are renewable every three years while an annual CPR training certification refresher course is mandated for employees with CPR certification.
- Empower and encourage communication
Employees may be aware of safety issues at the workplace that employers may not know of. Empowering them to speak up can help nip potential accidents in the bud.
- Keep all emergency exits unobstructed
In the case of a disaster such as an earthquake, fire, or calamity, having clear, unobstructed emergency exits can facilitate evacuation, prevent tripping injuries, and save lives. All employees, including new hires, should be familiarised with the floor plan indicating where the exits are. Regular checks should be conducted to ensure that the exits are always clear.
- Enhance ergonomics in the workplace
Conducting a risk assessment of all day-to-day tasks of employees can help reduce the risks of injuries from doing repetitive tasks and minimise back pain as well as other musculoskeletal ailments associated with office chairs and tables with poor ergonomics. Providing standing desks, promoting breaks for stretching, and tapping a Health Professional such as an Exercise Physiologist to educate employees about observing proper posture at work can help enhance productivity while avoiding work-related injuries.
- Provide infection control procedures along with adequate equipment and training
As stated under the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 2004, providing a safe workplace for employees includes implementing infection control procedures along with proper equipment and training.
Infection control in the workplace is comprised of several procedures that include observing proper personal hygiene practices, proper food preparation and handling, maintaining cleanliness, correct handling of spills of bodily fluids, right disposal of infectious wastes, stringent and careful handling of sharp objects, and containment of exposure to bodily fluids.
Find support after Workplace Accident
In the aftermath of a workplace accident, prioritising recovery is crucial. Beyond seeking immediate medical attention, integrating Exercise Physiology and Physiotherapy can significantly enhance the rehabilitation journey.
Our Allied Team at Healthstin can help. Our well-trained Physiotherapists can make a thorough initial assessment of the extent of injury and factor in the injured worker’s personalised treatment goals. On the other hand, our experienced Exercise Physiologists can give insights on a customised exercise program tailored to the conditions of the injured worker to support recovery. The treatment plan may include specific exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion, all of which are crucial to restoring functionality following a workplace injury or illness.
For convenience and peace of mind, Healthstin Allied Health services for helping injured workers return to work can be covered through Workers’ Compensation. Reach out to us via 1300 090 931 or by clicking this link.
By integrating Exercise Physiology and Physiotherapy into their recovery journey, injured workers can optimise their rehabilitation process, regain functionality, and return to work safely and confidently.
