WorkCover WA calls for comments on a redeveloped Injury Management Code of Practice Guidance Notes, now called Injury Management: A Guide for Employers.

The Guidance Notes were originally developed to support the Workers’ Compensation Code of Practice (Injury Management) 2005. A review was recently undertaken to contemporise the advice WorkCover WA provides, ensuring that employers understand their legal obligations and are able to implement effective injury management systems.

The new Injury Management: A Guide for Employers publication has improved on the Guidance Notes in several significant areas and now includes:

• a practical three-step approach to effective injury management
• more detail on developing and implementing an injury management system
• expanded information on alternative, modified and restricted duties
• improved tools and templates.

Tim Roach, General Manager Regulatory Services, said that the review focussed on helping employers get their injured workers back into the workplace.

"The Code of Practice itself is a very short, succinct document and the requirements placed on employers to have an injury management system in place are not complicated. However, employers leave both themselves and their injured workers vulnerable if those systems are not effective when injuries occur."

"The new Injury Management: A Guide for Employers aims to clearly set out an employer’s legal obligations and provide practical, straightforward advice on best practice methods to develop effective injury management systems. We welcome feedback and suggestions from our stakeholders to improve it further before finalising the document."

To provide feedback on the draft Injury Management: A Guide for Employers (PDF - 2.3MB), please make a submission in writing by 5.00pm Thursday, 5 May 2011 to:

• Mail:
  Tim Roach, General Manager Regulatory Services
  WorkCover WA
  2 Bedbrook Place, Shenton Park WA 6008
• Email: tim.roach@workcover.wa.gov.au
• Fax: (08) 9388 5550