Strategic Injury Management and Early Intervention

Our qualified Occupational Therapists apply a range of tools and programs that enable and assist in the identification and intervention of pre-existing injury or poor work practices that place organisations at risk of a claim.

Pre-employment assessments are an important and proactive risk management tool. They help ensure potential employees are capable of safely undertaking a specific job, creating a safer work environment, minimising legal and OH&S risks and supporting employers in meeting their duty of care.

Assessments of Capacity can be conducted within 24-48 hours of notification. This provides the employee fast support and the employer better control. Utilised with our advanced early intervention process, 90% of cases typically do not result in workers compensation claims resulting in savings in premiums. This adds significant dollars to the bottom line for organisations that can be used to fund early intervention strategies and improve productivity.

Employers that act proactively to monitor and address the health of their employees through early intervention strategies, reduce the risk of an injury and a workers compensation claim, enhance workplace morale and productivity and protect their team.

Claims Cost and Premium Analysis defines targets and sets strategic and tactical action plans to manage claims costs.

Many organisations are subject to rising workers compensation claims and increasing insurance premiums over which they feel they have no real control. We deliver tangible savings by driving down our clients' monthly claims costs and insurance premiums.

We achieve these significant bottom line savings by taking a strategic approach, defining achievable targets, based on a detailed analysis of your workers compensation data, claims costs, premiums and policies.

To deliver the savings we take a hands-on approach, setting and delivering a tactical program of "People Performance Plans" to effectively manage and reduce claims costs.

We ensure our clients are in control of workers compensation and include:

• In-depth assessment by our expert team
• Analysis of workers compensation claims history
• Review of current approach, practices, and programs
• Risk assessment and opportunity analysis
• Identification of fail points and problem areas within the organisation
• Reports setting out key findings and strategies for problem rectification
• Business case demonstrating the return on investment
• Forecast savings from reduced workers compensation premiums

Our approach sets a clear roadmap to enable organisations to improve the culture, performance and wellbeing of employees and organisations, and reduce workers compensation claims and premiums.

Inherent Requirements of the Job Analysis is mandatory in effective HR and workforce management and assists organisations to take proactive control.

The Inherent Requirements of the Job document details the functional requirements of a role from a physical, psychosocial, cognitive and environmental perspective. They complement a position description and are utilised in a number of HR, workers compensation and Occupational Health situations including pre-employment assessment, the management of injuries, ageing workforce management and industrial relations.

Many organisations fail to truly understand the specific requirements of a role which means that employees can be ill-suited or incapable of performing all of their job functions resulting in poor performance, staff turnover, likely injury and costly workers compensation claims.

The Inherent Requirements of the Job document provides an important resource which:

• Enables effective HR and workforce management
• Guides recruitment, training, equipment provision and psychological and physical assessments of capacity
• Sets a framework for workforce management
• Is utilised in return to work planning
• Ensures a sound basis for injury and claim prevention

Workplace Risk utilise a thorough methodology that encompasses:

• Review by qualified Occupational Therapists
• Consultation with HR and line manager
• Occupational interview with employees
• Detailed task analysis and requirements to conduct the job
• Assessment of physical, cognitive, environmental and psychosocial demands of each task
• Review of findings against position description
• Provision of detailed documentation and photographs

Employers have legal obligations to monitor the health of their employees and implement strategies to support their workers when they know, or ought reasonably to have known, that employees can no longer meet the inherent requirements of their jobs.

Pre-employment Assessments help identify the ability of a prospective employee to meet the inherent requirements of a specific role.

Many organisations suffer repercussions from pre-employment checks that are inadequate. A pre-employment assessment ensures the right candidate is selected for the job.

Pre-employment assessments help identify the ability of a prospective employee to meet the inherent requirements of a specific role and ensure the right candidate is selected for the job. We conduct comprehensive pre-employment assessments that identify the ability of a prospective employee to meet the inherent requirements of a specific role, allowing employers to make confident and informed decisions about the people they hire.

Our Occupational Therapists provide all required assessment tools and equipment and meet one-on-one with the candidate in a private room. Pre-employment assessments can be conducted either at the workplace or at our offices.

We apply a rigorous pre-employment check that includes:

• Review by a qualified Occupational Therapist
• Consultation with HR and line manager
• Assessment against Inherent Requirements of the Job
• Psychological and Physical Evaluations
• Comment on workers current capacity for work
• Comment on past and current significant injuries that may affect work ability
• Documentation of assessment results
• Recommendation of candidate suitability

Pre-employment assessments are not discriminatory if an employer follows the correct process and seeks to test an applicant’s ability to carry out the reasonable and genuine requirements of the employment.

Importantly, if an applicant is successful, this documentation can be used as a baseline to measure any changes in their capacity. In the event of an injury, the history of assessments can be used to measure how well the employee is recovering and if they are able to meet the demands of their pre-injury duties.

The process also provides the opportunity to alter some of the duties or requirements of the role in order to secure an otherwise suitable candidate.

Psychological and Physical Assessments determine if employees have the psychological and physical capacity to meet the demands of their jobs.

We support employees by acting on early warning signs of mental and physical illness or injury. This manages risk, reduces longer-term costs and improves the culture and performance of organisations and the wellbeing of employees.

Psychological and Physical Assessments determine if employees have the psychological and physical capacity to meet the demands of their jobs and aid in the effective prevention and resolution of workers compensation claims.

Employers have legal obligations to monitor the physical and mental health of their employees and implement strategies to support their employees when they know, or ought reasonably to have known, of the employees' physical and mental health conditions. Through the use of Assessments of Capacity and other services, we enable employers to meet their obligations.

Employers can request Workplace Risk to conduct Assessments of Capacity for employees with workers compensation claims and/or employees showing early warning signs of physical and/or mental health conditions that do not have workers compensation claims.

Our approach to Assessments of Capacity includes:

• In-depth assessment by our qualified Occupational Therapists
• Consultation with staff and line managers
• Assessing the psychological state and capabilities of workers
• Assessing the physical capacity of workers
• Clearly outlining employees' capabilities during assessments
• Comment on employees' overall functional capacity based on their physical and mental health
• Providing clear recommendations and actions for assisting a worker to safely return or stay at work
• Documenting a comprehensive, supportive and strategic return to work plan or care plan

Assessments of Capacity can be conducted within 24-48 hours of notification. This provides the employee fast support and the employer better control. Utilised with our advanced early intervention process, 90% of cases typically do not result in workers compensation claims resulting in savings in workers compensation premiums and offering better outcomes for workers.

Our approach to Assessments of Capacity has significant benefits for the employee. In addition to taking a preventative approach to protect employees, engaging in regular and meaningful work based routine is a positive factor in achieving the overall balance required for good mental health and to aid recovery from physical injury.

Ergonomic Assessments are used to ensure that the work environment is suitable in order to prevent injuries or exacerbation of pre-existing conditions.

Poorly set up workspaces place people at risk and leave employers exposed to workers compensation claims. Continued exposure to poorly set up workspaces and the misuse of computers, tools and furniture can result in musculoskeletal disorders, eye strain and other issues for employees.

We provide Ergonomic Assessments to ensure that workspaces are comfortable, practical, productive and ergonomically safe.

We utilise Ergonomic Assessments to:

• Facilitate a person's functional recovery from an injury
• Prevent further injury or exacerbation of pre-existing conditions
• Protect employees from injury and organisations from workers compensation claims
• Improve productivity and employee wellbeing

In order to optimise the workspace, our approach to Ergonomic Assessments includes:

• In-depth assessment by our qualified Occupational Therapists
• Consultation with staff, management, and key stakeholders
• Ergonomic audit of the current work environment
• Proactive identification of people at risk of injury
• Application of Australian Building Standards and proven best practice
• Actionable report of findings and prevention measures to be applied
• Sta. training and self-managed behavioural change programs

Our Ergonomic Assessments provide an effective and efficient process to ensure that workspaces meet the requirements of WorkSafe and organisations meet their OH&S obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Our approach can be used to address concerns that a specific employee raises about their work environment or to complete ergonomic assessments across the entire organisation. Employees who are comfortable and ergonomically supported within their workstation are more productive and less likely to experience absenteeism.

Ageing Workforce Management enables our clients to proactively address and manage the needs of an ageing workforce.

The Australian workforce is ageing, creating new challenges for organisations. In response to this, we have developed our Work Life Continuance methodology that aligns the performance of people with the demands of the organisation, and ensures that our clients are ready to manage the changes that come from an ageing workforce.

Our approach to Ageing Workforce Management is comprehensive and encompasses:

• In-depth assessment by our expert team
• Consultation with staff, management, and key stakeholders
• Proactive identification of people at risk of injury
• Application of proven best practice models and approaches
• Development of care plans to support the needs of employees
• Full reporting including the documentation of strategy and action plans

Process efficiency and reliability are subject to the performance of people and sustaining good performance can be achieved through a Work Life Continuance methodology and predictive maintenance.

The cost of predictive maintenance of people is less than preventative maintenance and significantly less expensive than reactive maintenance and the risk and cost of workers' compensation claims.

Our clients are confident that their labour requirements and HR systems and practices are ready to deal with the rising proportion of mature workers, preventing workers' compensation claims, protecting productivity and ensuring the wellbeing of the workforce.

Self Managed Health and Exercise Programs provide employees with the knowledge and strategies to better manage, monitor and maintain their mental and physical health through training and skills-development based approach.

Self Managed Health Programs focus on mental wellbeing and enhance an employee's ability to manage the social, cognitive and organisational requirements of their workplace.

Self Managed Exercise Programs focus on physical activity and are designed to promote recovery and reduce reliance upon ongoing active treatment for improved health and wellbeing.

Preventative and Targeted Programs

Self Managed Health or Exercise Programs can be employed as an early intervention measure to address an employees overall health and wellbeing or a targeted intervention for workers experiencing specific health and fitness concerns.

A program may be recommended from an Initial Needs Assessment, Functional Capacity Evaluation, or to aid a worker in returning to work following an injury or a claim. Alternatively an employer may also refer to Workplace Risk for a Self Managed Health or Exercise Program for one of their workers as part of an early intervention approach.

We will provide a qualified professional who will:

• Meet with the worker at the nominated workplace
• Conduct a one on one initial screening assessment
• Focus on the goals and outcomes required for the program
• Apply proven best practice models and approaches
• Design a targeted program that addresses the specific needs of the worker
• Provide the worker with the appropriate skills/education to follow the program
• Schedule appropriate coaching, support and follow-up appointments

Self Managed Programs are a valuable tool for promoting recovery and healthy lifestyle while reducing reliance upon ongoing active treatment by encouraging workers to take responsibility for their own health needs

Our Mental Health and Wellbeing workshops assist organisations to meet their Duty of Care and will enhance workplace morale and wellbeing.

The importance of up-skilling all levels of management in the early identification, support, and management of mental health conditions within the workplace has never been so important. Poor mental health costs Australian businesses over $12.6 billion (Mental Health Australia 2018) and depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$1 trillion per year (World Health Organisation 2019).

KPMG's "Investing to Save" report into the economic benefits of investment in mental health, highlights that maintaining the mental health and wellbeing of the workforce and investing in prevention and early interventions can generate return on investment of $1.30 to over $4.70 for every dollar spent (Mental Health Australia and KPMG 2018).

Organisations that empower employees to take responsibility and accountability for their own health and wellbeing significantly increase productivity, enhance workplace culture, and minimise the risk of workplace injuries and the associated costs.

Workplace Risk's holistic mental health and wellbeing training program offers three levels of workplace intervention and upskilling for managers and workers all facilitated by highly qualified Occupational Therapists with expertise in workplace mental health.

Managers Workshop Objectives and Key Outcomes

Workplace Risk's Mental Health & Wellbeing workshops for managers assist organisations to meet their duty of care under the Occupational Health and Safety Act & WHS Act, and will enhance workplace morale and wellbeing.

Through a range of interactive activities, case studies, practical tools and facilitated discussions, the workshop helps enhance the capacity and confidence of managers in:

• What is mental health and how to promote a healthy attitude?
• Understanding stress and its impact on the workplace
• Understanding and recognising the early warning signs and symptoms of mental health concerns
• Early intervention and how to assist within the boundaries of the role
• Legal and organisational requirements for reasonable adjustments
• How to manage and support mental health claims
• How to manage the impact of mental health claims on workplace culture
• Developing mental health resilience through practical skills and tools to enhance personal wellbeing and the wellbeing of workers

Worker Workshop Objectives and Key Outcomes

The Mental Health and Wellbeing workshop that Workplace Risk has developed specifically for workers provides attendees with the tools and understanding to be accountable and proactive regarding their own mental health and wellbeing. This approach provides practical frameworks and tools to help workers better identify and manage stress — from both their work and personal life.

Taking a proactive approach to educating workers about mental health has substantial benefits for organisations, resulting in happier and healthier teams, a positive organisational culture, and a reduction in both absenteeism and stress-related workers compensation claims.

Utilising a combination of experiential exercises, group activities, case studies, and educational tools, the workshop delivers outcomes including;

• Promote a healthy & positive attitude to stress
• De-stigmatise "Mental Health"
• Provide a safe environment to explore a sensitive topic
• Encourage a sense of personal responsibility for mental health and wellbeing
• Deliver a call to action for better managing mental health
• Encourage proactive help-seeking behaviours
• Provide effective self-management tools
• Facilitate positive mental health outcomes

Workplace Risk facilitates accredited Mental Health First Aid certificate courses for Mental Health Champions within a workplace. The two day Mental Health First Aid course provides an evidence based and internationally recognised curriculum. It covers how to offer initial support to individuals who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in mental health crisis, until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.

Participants will learn:

• To identify the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems and to understand what this means for individuals
• How to provide initial help and intervention
• Where and how to seek professional help
• What intervention and supports have been shown by research to be effective
• How to provide mental health first aid in a crisis situation

Upon completion of the Mental Health First Aid course Mental Health Champions will be provided with a certificate of currency for three years and an extensive and highly researched Mental Health First Aid Manual for ongoing reference. A brief refresher course can be undertaken to maintain accreditation.

As a certificate based course, the Mental Health First Aid course can be delivered in house at your organisation or as a public course at our office.