Workplace Injuries
Across Canada, over 40,000 workplace injuries occur each year. Employers are required to provide care if an employee is injured or becomes ill at work. It’s the employer’s responsibility to provide a return to work plan and accommodate the injured employee.
Employer steps if an employee is injured or becomes ill at work:
1. Provide First Aid – If the employee needs more treatment, you must arrange transportation to a hospital on the day of the injury.
2. Investigate Incident – Keep a detailed record of what happened and how you are taking steps to fix it.
3. Report Injury or Illness – Report to your provincial/territorial workers’ compensation board.
4. FAF & RTW Form – Functional Abilities Form and Return to Work Form must be completed.
Return to Work (RTW) Process
Employers are obligated to work with the employee and medical professionals to support a full RTW.
1. Communicate and Collaborate – Maintain regular communication with the injured employee and report updates to your provincial/territorial workers’ compensation board.
2. Identify Suitable Work – Work with the employee (and their medical professionals) to determine the abilities of the employee and identity suitable work. Provide a written offer of modified work to the employee and have it signed by both parties.
3. Monitor – Check in with the worker frequently and provide updates to your provincial/territorial workers’ compensation board. Outline any progress, problems, or concerns if they occur.
4. Full Return to Work – The worker either fully recovers and returns to work as normal or reaches maximum recovery and needs permanent accommodations.
Employer Accommodation
In most provinces and territories, the law requires employers to accommodate employees up to the point of undue hardship. This means employers must provide accommodations until doing so would create health and safety risks or become too costly for the business.
Employers can provide accommodations in various ways. Listed below are a few:
- Reduced or Altered Work Hours
- No Heavy Lifting
- Temporary Position Re-assignment
- Remote Work
Workplace Injuries
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