Steps Toward a Return to Work Program Outline developed by: Outline developed by:  Mike Fredebeil (Asst. Vice President, Willis Construction Group)  James Skelton (Sr. Loss Control Consultant, BB&T)  Jerome A. Stevenson Jr. (Corp. Safety Dir., L.E. Schwartz & Son, Inc.)

Steps Toward a Return to Work Program Obtain commitment from your management team. Obtain commitment from your management team. Develop a long term approach as opposed to short term solutions. Develop a long term approach as opposed to short term solutions. See the injured employee as a team member. See the injured employee as a team member.

Steps Toward a Return to Work Program Develop a Return to Work policy. Develop a Return to Work policy. Appoint a resource to coordinate the program. Appoint a resource to coordinate the program. Provide training to key personnel. Provide training to key personnel.

Steps Toward a Return to Work Program Provide each employee a copy of the Return to Work policy. Provide each employee a copy of the Return to Work policy.  Managers.  Key personnel.  Current & New Employees.

Steps Toward a Return to Work Program Develop a strong Safety and Accident Prevention program. Develop a strong Safety and Accident Prevention program.  This program should include strong safety policies. Develop and enforce a strong discipline policy. Develop and enforce a strong discipline policy.

Return to Work Facts Employees out of work longer than 6 months have a 50% of returning to work. Employees out of work longer than 6 months have a 50% of returning to work. Litigation is 50% lower if contact is made to an injured employee within 7 days. Litigation is 50% lower if contact is made to an injured employee within 7 days. Employees out of work 14 or more days have financial difficulties. Employees out of work 14 or more days have financial difficulties. Effective Disability Management, Liberty Mutual.

Return to Work Facts Litigated claims can result in increased claims’ cost (up to 80%). Litigated claims can result in increased claims’ cost (up to 80%). Return to Work doesn’t always mean Light Duty. Return to Work doesn’t always mean Light Duty. Returning injured employees to work reduces Workers’ Comp. Premiums. Returning injured employees to work reduces Workers’ Comp. Premiums. Effective Disability Management, Liberty Mutual.

Return to Work Facts Each company pays for insurance premiums. Each company pays for insurance premiums. The insurance company pays the injured worker: The insurance company pays the injured worker:  Medical benefits.  Lost Wages (66 2/3%) and indemnity. How Cost Affects the Bottom Line, BB&T.

Cost of Workers Compensation STATE RATE FOR EACH JOB TYPE X PAYROLL FOR EACH JOB TYPE MANUAL PREMIUM X Experience Modifier (Safety Grade) = STANDARD PREMIUM GOOD.85.85AVERAGE POOR

Cost Effect on Workers’ Comp. $50 $100 $150 $200 THOUSANDS.85 MOD1.00 MOD1.50 MOD $85K $100K $150K How Cost Affects the Bottom Line, BB&T.

Return to Work Facts Using the previous chart strict risk management practices can result in: Using the previous chart strict risk management practices can result in:  Increased profitability.  Reduced losses.  Reduced workers’ compensation premiums.

Return to Work Facts Strong safety practices will include: Strong safety practices will include:  Strict risk management.  Strong claims adjustment.  Strong Return to Work program.  Employees must know that these practices are the company’s policy.

Return to Work Techniques Consider terminology: Consider terminology:  Modified duty.  Temporary alternative position.  Permanent alternative position.  Review the OSHA 300 Log. OSHA 300 LogOSHA 300 Log

Return to Work Techniques Develop modified or alternative duties. Develop modified or alternative duties.  Even if they are not currently available.  Duties should always be forwarded to the physician.  Keep a rolling database of duties.  Let the physician modify or specify limitations.

Return to Work Techniques Provide a copy of job descriptions to the physician. Provide a copy of job descriptions to the physician. Ask representatives (from the physician’s office) to visit your job-sites. Ask representatives (from the physician’s office) to visit your job-sites. Post required documentation in Public Access areas. Post required documentation in Public Access areas.  I.e. – Lobby, HR Manger’s office, jobsite trailer.

Return to Work Techniques Provide every employee a copy of your return to Work package. Provide every employee a copy of your return to Work package.  Obtain signatures indicating reception. If an employee is injured give him or her a copy of the W/C laws and obtain a signature. If an employee is injured give him or her a copy of the W/C laws and obtain a signature. Let the employee initial by a copy of the Panel Physician at the time of treatment. Let the employee initial by a copy of the Panel Physician at the time of treatment.

Return to Work Techniques Contact the employee within 7 calendar days. Contact the employee within 7 calendar days.  Studies reflect that In-touch Employers are more likely get employees back to work.  Morale calls improve communication and keeps the employee involved with company news.  The company can obtain general assessments.

Return to Work Techniques Require accidents to be reported promptly (w/in 24 hours). Require accidents to be reported promptly (w/in 24 hours).  Discipline the violator. Always require a drug screen at the time of medical treatment. Always require a drug screen at the time of medical treatment.

Return to Work Techniques Track all time. Track all time.  Modified, Alternative, or Lost. Lost time is most expensive. Lost time is most expensive.  Wages paid by carrier.  Effects premium.

Return to Work Techniques Lost time (cont’d): Lost time (cont’d):  Employer must rehire.  Employer must retrain.  Will the new employee fit in.  Quality of work, dependability, etc.

Return to Work Benefits Reduces lost time severity. Reduces lost time severity. Employees are seen by Occ. Medicine physicians that can provide quality for work-related injuries. Employees are seen by Occ. Medicine physicians that can provide quality for work-related injuries. Potential to avoid legal complications. Potential to avoid legal complications. Shifts focus to an ability as opposed to disability. Shifts focus to an ability as opposed to disability.

Return to Work Benefits Employee has attachment and sense of job security. Employee has attachment and sense of job security. Employee stays active. Employee stays active. Positive impact on worker morale and productivity. Positive impact on worker morale and productivity. Reduced Costs. Reduced Costs.

Sample Return to Work Forms Following forms are available in electronic format: Following forms are available in electronic format:  Georgia State Board Return to Work Georgia State Board Return to Work Georgia State Board Return to Work  Georgia DOAS Return to Work Georgia DOAS Return to Work Georgia DOAS Return to Work  Always file a claim for your states Subsequent Injury Trust Fund (if applicable). Subsequent Injury Trust Fund Subsequent Injury Trust Fund

Sample Return to Work Forms Following forms are available in electronic format: Following forms are available in electronic format:  Return to Work Policy  Panel of Physician  Refusal of Treatment  Texas State Board Return to Work Texas State Board Return to Work Texas State Board Return to Work

Sample Return to Work Forms (cont’d): (cont’d):  Managed Care Organization (MCO).  Drug/Alcohol Screen Consent Form.  Modified Duty Acceptance Form.