In today’s economic climate, employers recognize the value of return to work programs as viable mechanisms in encouraging and allowing workers to return to productive and meaningful work as soon as possible after injury.

They recognize that return to work and injury management programs enhance productivity, cut down on employee turnover, and reduce employee-related costs with workers’ compensation. Employees benefit through improve d selfesteem and morale, having a productive lifestyle, reduced stress and financial hardship, and the ability to maintain relationships with fellow employees.

Construction industry employers and others can learn from the Seven Principles for Successful Return to Work developed by the Institute for Work & Health in Toronto. Following a review of current research and studies, the Institute found that workplace-based return to work interventions have positive impacts on the duration and costs associated with work disability.

Seven Principles for Successful Return to Work**

1. The workplace has a strong commitment to health and safety which is demonstrated by the behaviours of the workplace parties.

2. The employer makes an offer of modified work (also known as work accommodation) to injured/ill workers so they can return early and safely to work activities suitable to their abilities.

3. Return to work planners ensure that the plan supports the returning worker without disadvantaging coworkers and supervisors.

4. Supervisors are trained in work disability prevention and included in return to work planning.

5. The employer makes an early and considerate contact with injured/ill workers.

6. Someone has the responsibility to coordinate return to work.

7. Employers and health care providers communicate with each other about the workplace demands, as needed, and with the worker’s consent.

Industry Partners Collaborate to Pilot Employer Injury Services Program

A new joint venture between CBI Health Group and the Construction Safety Association of British Columbia (CSABC) will have a positive impact on return to work programs in B.C.’s construction industry. The CBI Health Group, in partnership with the CSABC, is working to promote awareness of the Employer Injury Services (EIS) program, which is currently being piloted across B.C. as part of implementing a successful return to work program in the construction industry.

Employer Injury Services have been used for approximately eight years with unprecedented success in Alberta’s Workers Compensation System under the title of Occupational Injury Services (OIS). These services are offered in Alberta through a preferred provider network which includes CBI Health Centres.

“CBI Health Group is proud to be able to offer a similar set of services in BC through our extensive network of medical care and rehabilitation centres, including 32 clinics and 120 physicians across the province,” says Mike Allegretto, EIS program co-ordinator for CBI Health Group. A 1-800-Access line will be offered to ensure easy initial contact and coordination of care for injured workers with a conveniently located CBI Health Centre.

The ultimate goal of the Employer Injury Services program in B.C. is to provide safe and early return to work planning to facilitate worker recovery, reduce worker disability, and decrease work time loss and associated disability costs to the employer, as proven in the Alberta program.

“Our physicians are trained in occupational injury and return to work planning,” says Allegretto. “Our mandate is to provide early assessment and injury education to the worker and to co-ordinate an appropriate care plan that includes safe return to work or safe return to temporary modified work.”

This care plan is discussed with the worker and an employer representative, and passed on to the family physician and WorkSafeBC on the day of assessment. Concurrent or additional treatment intervention programs will be discussed with the worker as needed.

According to the CBI Health Group, the success of the EIS program depends on employers who are committed to offering appropriate and meaningful transitional duties where necessary, to ensure worker safety and facilitate worker recovery while on the job. Employers are better able to make such accommodations when provided with the knowledge of worker abilities and limitations relevant to the job requirements.

Fees associated with this service will be billed to WorkSafeBC, in most cases requiring no direct expenditure from the employer. As a further benefit, employers that implement proactive return to work systems are eligible to earn a 5% rebate on WorkSafeBC assessment. This is achieved through CSABC’s Certificate of Recognition (COR) program and certain stipulations apply.

For more information on CSABC’s programs and services visit <www.csabc.ca>.

**Read the full online article: Seven Principles for Successful Return to Work, at <www.iwh.on.ca/files/seven_principles_ rtw_2007.pdf>.

For more information about the Construction Safety Association of BC call 604.434.3222 or 877.434.3222 or visit <www.csabc.ca>. CL