Injury management systems

An employer is required to establish an injury management system. An injury management system is a written description of the steps to be followed when there is an injury in the workplace.

The detail included in the injury management system will vary depending on the size and nature of the employer’s business. WorkCover WA has developed a Template Injury Management System (Word - 20kb). Employers can change or add to the template to suit the needs of their workplace.

For more on the injury management system requirements, see the Workers’ Compensation Code of Practice (Injury Management) 2005 (the Code). The accompanying publication, Injury Management: A Guide for Employers (PDF - 980kb), provides information to assist employers to understand their legal obligations and contains a three step approach to effective injury management.

Employers should note that penalties apply to employers who do not comply with the obligations set out in the Code.

The employer / insurer relationship

An insurer is required to make the employer aware of their injury management and return to work obligations under the Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 (the Act).

Insurers determine liability for workers’ compensation claims lodged by injured workers and must process claims in accordance with the Act. They are encouraged to communicate with their insured employers to provide information regarding claims management and to confirm that appropriate return to work activities have commenced. If the employer and the worker are unable to agree on issues, employers should discuss these matters with their insurer who can provide assistance.

The insurer may discharge obligations on behalf of the employer

The legislation states that the obligation for an employer to establish and implement return to work programs may be discharged by their insurer, provided the employer has sent a request to the insurer accordingly. If an insurer establishes and implements return to work programs on behalf of an employer, they must comply with the Code where the employer would be obliged to do so, and the programs are still owned and adopted by the employer. The insurer should involve the employer in decisions even when discharging obligations on their behalf.