Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses Policy

1. Work-Related Injuriesand Illnesses Policy What supervisors need to know

2. The Costs of Injuries and Illnesses Direct costs are often just the tip of the iceberg. Indirect costs can be 50 times or greater the direct costs of injuries and illnesses. lost wages medical bills building and property damage hiring and training replacements work delays and interruptions Extra supervisory time loss of goodwill

3. How can I reduce the costs of a work-related injury or illness? • Communication is the key. Contact all of the parties that may be involved in an incident follow-up: • The injured employee • University Health Services, 584-4457 • Human Resources, 556-6381 • Environmental Health and Safety, 556-4968 • Disabilities Management, 556-6065 • Follow the University’s Occupational/Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses Policy, Environmental Health and Safety Advisory 12.2.

4. Components of the Policy • Medical Treatment • Incident Reporting • Time Off and Returning to Work • Filing Workers’ Compensation Claims • Accident Assessment and Corrective Actions

5. Preferred order for seeking Medical Treatment • University Health Services • Open weekdays 8:30 am to 4 pm • Holmes Hospital 584-4457 • Lindner Athletic Center 556-2564 • The University Hospital Inc., Emergency Room • For emergency treatment and after hours services • The nearest Medical Facility • All other times and holidays

6. University Health Services, UHS • UHS doctors and nurses, trained in Occupational Medicine, assist in: • Clarifying work restrictions • Establishing appropriate accommodations for injured workers • Referring employees with special needs to other Medical Providers

7. Incident Reporting • Complete form A-1352(a) within 24 hours • The injured employee answers the questions • The supervisor checks for completion • The supervisor signs the report • To distribute the report: • Mail the original to ML 0218 • Fax a copy to 556-9652 • Give a copy to the injured employee • Give a copy to your Business Office

8. Incident Reporting • Obtaining a form A-1352(a) • Departmental Business Office • Environmental Health and Safety’s web site, www.ehs.uc.edu • Environmental Health and Safety’s Office, 556-4968 • Human Resources, 556-6381

9. Time Off and Returning to Work • The employee notifies the supervisor of absence daily. • UHS coordinates return to work whenever the employee is: • absent beyond the date of the incident • released with restrictions

10. Filing Workers’ Comp. Claims • Compensation may be provided for payment of medical bills and/or for lost time compensation. • Submit a Bureau of Workers’ Compensation application on the FROI-1 form: First Report of Injury. • Call 556-6381 for a copy of the FROI-1 form and for details on the Workers’ Comp. process.

11. Compensation for Lost Wages • Early reporting is critical. Contact Human Resources at 556-6381 for details before making the decision to apply for compensation for lost wages. • The employee is ineligible if the absence is less than one week. • The employee should consult with Benefits before deciding whether or not to use sick time. • Payments are provided by the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, not the University.

12. Accident Assessment and Corrective Actions • Environmental Health and Safety works with the supervisor and the department to: • Identify the cause of the problem • Correct the cause of the problem • Determine the severity of the injury or illness: • The extent of medical treatment • The number of missed workdays • The number of restricted workdays

13. Test your knowledge List the three most common types of injuries reported by faculty, staff, and students. • Sprains and strains account for 25% of the incidents reported annually • Bruises account for 15-20% of the annual incidents • Cuts constitute 10-15% of the annual incidents

14. __ Repetitive motion __ Overexertion __ Highway accidents __ Bodily reaction __ Falls to lower levels __ Struck against an object __ Caught in or compressed by equipment __ Falls on the same level __ Struck by object __ Assaults and violent acts Test your knowledge List these causes of injury in order by the most disabling1 = the most disabling 10 = the least disabling

15. __ Repetitive motion __ Overexertion __ Highway accidents __ Bodily reaction __ Falls to lower levels __ Struck against an object __ Caught in or compressed by equipment __ Falls on the same level __ Struck by object __ Assaults and violent acts Test your knowledge List these causes of injury in order by the most disabling1 = the most disabling 10 = the least disabling 9 7 1 6 2 3 4 5 10 8 Data from Liberty Mutual Group’s 2009 Workplace Safety Index

16. Identify and correct problems before an injury occurs. Provide on-the-job training. Check for understanding. Allow only trained and authorized employees to perform jobs. Regularly inspect your work areas using EH&S’s Quarterly Self-Inspection Checklist. Ensure emergency equipment is always accessible. Attach guards to machinery. Replace worn tools and equipment. What should I do to reduce risk?

17. Ask for help in resolving ergonomic problems. Call EH&S at 556-4968 today. Provide ergonomic chairs and stools. Place work supplies and equipment within comfortable reach. Purchase a cart or dolly, eliminate manual material handling tasks. How do I reduce the risk for sprains, strains and other ergonomic injuries?

18. Safety Materials and Resources • Environmental Health and Safety, 556-4968 • From EH&S’s web site, www.ehs.uc.edu • Occupational/Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses Policy, Advisory 12.2 • Quarterly Self-Inspection Checklist • Office Ergonomics Checklist • Laboratory Ergonomics Checklist • Scheduling calendar for 14 computer-integrated training programs