An Ergonomics Perspective on Return-To-Work Darcie Jaremey, AEP Matthew Ross, CPE Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
Agenda Introduction Injury Data and Return-to-Work Systems SPICE Model Transitional Duties Participatory Ergonomics Public Consultation Questions
WCB of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia s workplace injury insurance provider Cover 18,000 employers and 300,000000 workers Not for Profit 100% Funded by employers NO tax dollars Lawsuit protection for employers No fault protection for workers
Our Mission We inform and inspire Nova Scotians in the prevention of workplace injury, but if it occurs we support those whose lives it touches by championing a timely return to safe and healthy work.
Workplace Injury Is any personal injury or medical condition arising out of and in the course of employment caused to a worker resulting from the interaction with their work environment.
Compliance Assurance Participation & Consultation Medical Management Management Support of Resources Health & Safety Management System Tools, Techniques & Corporate Policy Skills Documentation Education & Training Evaluation / Audit Process Program Management
Nova Scotia s Injury Epidemic In 2008, there were: 31,753 registered claims 87 people injured every day An injury every 17 minutes 8,050 were time-loss claims 22 serious injuries every day 29 fatalities
When Injury Occurs: Our Goal When the worker s functional abilities match the job demands Length of time to achieve RTW (Claim Duration) Pre-Injury Employer Initially - Transitional duties Work of Value Rehabilitative Finally - Pre-injury or suitable duties
Return-to-Work (RTW) Systems Injury management/rtw system Employers proactively help injured workers stay at work or return to productive and safe work when physically possible. System based on philosophy: injured workers System based on philosophy: injured workers can safely perform productive work during process of recovery
RTW Management: SPICE Model Simplicity The concept that simple benign conditions treated in a complicated fashion become complicated Proximity The need to keep the worker associated with the workplace Immediacy - The need to deal with industrial claims in a timely manner Centrality - All parties involved with workers need to share a common philosophy and ultimate goal of returning the individual back to gainful employment as soon as possible. E t Th t th t i di id l ft f lfill th Expectancy The concept that individuals often fulfill the expectation placed on them.
Proximity: Keeping the Worker Integrated Good for the Worker Proximity The need to keep the worker associated with the workplace Good for the Employer Good for the WCB Good for the NS Economy
Immediacy - Time is of the Essence The longer a worker is off work, the more complex the condition becomes Window of Opportunity Immediacy - The need to deal with industrial claims in a timely manner
Centrality Focus on Common Goal By working together with a keen focus and commitment to the common goal Employer Worker Primary Care Appeal System Other Health Care Providers Case Worker Physiotherapy Safe & Timely RTW Centrality - All parties involved with workers need to share a common philosophy and ultimate goal of returning the individual back to gainful employment as soon as possible.
Expectancy Consistent Messaging Case Worker Expectancy The Injured concept that Worker individuals often fulfill the expectation placed on them.
Comprehensive RTW Management 15 SPICE Direct Access To Physiotherapy Medical Disability Advisor Early Psychosocial Screening & Intervention Collaborative Partnerships with Employers Expectation Management Dr. NS Contract & EPS Tiered Services Service Provider Accountability SPICE
Injury-RTW Cycle The key to an effective return-to-work t approach is to identify work-related risk factors that lead to the injury Breaking this cycle is essential
Transitional Duties Effective method to achieve successful outcomes with return-to-work Functional basis ideal for musculoskeletal injuries Works with the SPICE model components Availability of transitional duties can impact injury durations
Transitional Duties Ensure focus is on abilities not disabilities Transitional duties should be value-added to an organization Hierarchy of transitional duties; same position/department ideal Transitional duties are temporary changes in responsibilities, not a new job Functional abilities should be re assessed in a Functional abilities should be re-assessed in a timely manner
Developing Transitional Duties Achieving a safe and timely Return to Work may require creativity: Temporary task change (Transitional Duties) OR Modification within current job (reduce difficult task through work design) OR Entirely different job (Suitable Work)
Components of Transitional Duties Several options available to develop your transitional duties: Functional Job Description/Analysis, Job Site Analysis Functional Abilities Report (from physiotherapist) If the nature of the injury limits transitional duties development, ensure suitable work is value-added until functional abilities allow for transitional duties
Transitional Duties Options Physiotherapist Assessing Abilities vs Job Demands Employer Modifying Job Demands Functional Abilities Job Demands = Eliminate duties from usual job = Match = Safe = No Match = Unsafe = = = Eliminate i duties from usual job + add duties from another job Assign another job Assign duties from various other jobs Match = Safe
How do we break the RTW-Injury Cycle Incident investigation is key Effective root cause analysis and control measures to mitigate the risk Musculoskeletal l l injuries i can benefit from a participatory ergonomics approach to mitigate risks
What is Participatory Ergonomics? Process of involving and encouraging key personnel in identifying and solving problems with work-related hazards Method to break the injury-rtw cycle Effective approach to reducing hazards that can lead to injuries Reduce MSIs, WCB claims, lost time from work
Before/After Pictures 24
Implementing Participatory Ergonomics A recent, systematic review of literature suggests that these are the most important in implementing PE: Organizational support Resource commitment Open communication about the PE program Assistive in developing appropriate Transitional Duties based on functional abilities
Keys to Success with Ergonomic Change Teams Further, it is suggested that these are key critical features in a successful ergonomics team: Address Key Barriers to the process Create PE teams with appropriate members Involve a PE champion to guide and monitor the process
Developing your Ergo Program, cont Provide training Involve the right people in the overall PE process Define team members responsibilities Make decisions using group consultation Organizational Readiness Management Support ECT Champion Employee buy-in Proactively eliminating risk factors
Musculoskeletal Injury Consultation Paper Department of Labour and Workforce Development Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
Consultation Paper To solicit feedback on potential approaches to musculoskeletal injury prevention in Nova Scotia To be released early May for consultation will be available on the web, electronically and as a survey If you wish to have further information or to receive a copy email at: Matt.ross@wcb.gov.ns.ca ca