15.00 – Return to Work Program

General

  1. All first aid/medical related information used to assist injured employees back to work is confidential and will not be shared/disclosed with any unauthorized personnel.
  2. Employees injured as a result of a work-related incident will make a report as soon as practicable in accordance with established company procedure. (Incident Reporting)
  3. Immediately upon receiving notification of injury from the site supervisor or designate the employer/safety representative will make initial contact with the worker and assist the site supervisor or designate in deciding if the injured worker will:
    • stay at work
    • be transported to medical aid
  4. The management of all employee injuries will be as follows:
TypeDutiesRecordingFollow Up
Minor Injury
*Stay at Work
cleared for full return to regular dutiesfirst aid attendant to indicate RTW on the First Aid Record
modified/alternate duties requiredemployer/safety representative to create Return to Work Offer/Plansite supervisor to monitor daily and report any issues to employer/safety representative
Minor Injury
*Medical Aid
cleared for full return to regular dutiesfirst aid attendant to indicate RTW on the First Aid Record
modified/alternate duties requiredemployer/safety representative to create Return to Work Offer/Plansite supervisor to monitor daily and report any issues to employer/safety representative
Major Injury
*Emergency
modified/alternate duties requiredemployer/safety representative to create Return to Work Offer/Plansite supervisor to monitor daily and report any issues to employer/safety representative
modified/alternate duties not suitableemployer/safety representative to maintain contact with injured employee on a weekly basis

Return to Work Offer/Plans

  1. Injured employees will maintain regular contact with the employer, make themselves available for return to work and participate in all reasonable plans offered.
  2. The employer/safety representative will identify suitable duties and design a plan for the injured worker’s safe and effective return to work in consultation with:
    • the injured person
    • the site supervisor
    • relevant medical practitioners
    • WorkSafeBC
  3. Prior to the injured worker returning to work, the results from (1) will be documented on the Return to Work Offer/Plan and offered/presented to the injured worker.
  4. Upon acceptance of the offer by the injured employee the Return to Work Offer/Plan will be signed by the following personnel, prior to commencing work:
    • injured worker
    • site supervisor or designate
    • employer/safety representative
  5. Injured employees will not perform any duties that are restricted, beyond their limitations, or which cause excessive pain to their affected area of injury.
  6. Anytime an injured employee experiences difficulty performing any work activities as a result of an injury, he/she will immediately notify his/her site supervisor or designate.
  7. Injured employees will not receive any form of reprimand for refusing work based on their medical conditions; anytime a discrepancy occurs, the employer or representative will be contacted immediately.
  8. All completed plans will be filed/kept in the worksite filing system for the duration of the plan; once the plan has expired, the original will be sent to head office.

Light/Modified Duties

  1. The employer has identified the following light or modified duties:
    • administration
    • training
    • light clean-up
    • drive vehicle
    • assist co-worker
    • inventory
    • equipment repair/maintenance
  2. In addition, the employer will work with all injured workers treatment providers to identify and provide light or modified duties in accordance with all recommended suitable duties and identified restrictions on a case by case basis.