Safety Matters - Rail, Tram and Bus Union of NSW

What is a return to Work Plan?
A return to work plan provides the details of how you can return to work. It is
similar to a program that an injured footballer would follow in relation to the
getting back into a game – for example, they may only be allowed to play part
of the game and possibly in a different position. This is known as gradual return
and conditioning without exacerbating the injury. Most sports professionals
including tennis, cricket & soccer players play sport full time, this is their job
and because it is critical for them to get back to work, the management of
sports related injuries is excellent and the model which should be followed.
Their model is based on early intervention and a proper injury management
plan which includes treatment. It is put together by a team of specialists, that
is, a doctor, physiotherapists etc, and it commences within hours after an
injury occurs and the majority of sports professionals or clubs employ a team
of health professionals.
The same approach should be used for work related injuries a person with their
treating doctor (who has access to these health professional i.e. physiotherapist
etc) should be able to put together a treatment and return to work plan
immediately following the injury. However some injuries are very serious
particularly those requiring hospitalisation and this person may take a while to
recover and be certified fit for suitable duties.
Returning to work on suitable duties is the same. A person who is injured
may not be able to return to work full time and may need a programme of
gradual return, that is, work conditioning This could be for a few hours a
day with a gradual increase every week until they resume normal duties. Or
alternatively the person may return to a different position as outlined in the
examples below:
• An ambulance officer with a back injury may not be able to return to
emergency response work, however may return to office duties or telephone
response.
• A kitchen hand who has severely lacerated fingers would not be able to
return to food handling or preparation however may return to work in a
temporary position of ordering supplies etc
• A police officer with a knee injury i.e. cartilage may not be able to return to
response duties and may have to work in intelligence or on full station and
report writing duties
Safety Matters A Guide for Workplace OHS Representatives
SECTION THREE
RAIL
TRAM AND BUS
25
A Summary of Workers Compensation in NSW
U N
I O N