Post on 20-Mar-2017
transcript
Getting Back to Work How Employers Can
Encourage an Early Return to Work After Injury
Presented by Aubrey Sakaguchi & Colleen Harris
Hosted by
Housekeeping Items• 45 Minute Presentation + 15 Minute Q&A• Enter questions in the chat window during presentation in
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Moderated byBrandon LawsDirector of MarketingXenium HR
Aubrey Sakaguchi• Risk Management / Insurance Agent• Risk / Safety Consulting (public sector)• Early Return to Work Consulting • EH&S Specialist
• Previous Injured Worker• 11 car accidents (She’s a good driver!)• Didn’t walk for almost 6 weeks following the worst
• Thus began the journey into ergonomics
Colleen Harris
About the Instructors
Preview• What is EAIP and PWP• How employers can become eligible and what employees are
eligible• How the EAIP program can impact your organization’s bottom
line• What an EAIP overhaul can look like for your organization
Return to Work Programs
The Employer-at-Injury Program (EAIP) and Preferred Worker Program (PWP) were designed to encourage re-employment of qualified Oregon workers who incurred injury caused limitations from an on-the-job injury.
Return to work programs
How are the programs funded?
• EAIP and PWP are funded by worker and employer contributions to the Workers’ Benefit Fund (WBF)
• Oregon workers and employers pay about 3.3 cents per hour for every hour worked
Return to work programs
How are the programs designed?
Employer-at-Injury Program (EAIP)• Available when the claim is deferred or open• Speeds return to work, lowers claim costs, keeps workers working
and productive
Preferred Worker Program (PWP)• Available after claim closure or when medical evidence indicates the
worker knows he or she cannot return to work because of permanent work restrictions
Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)When are you notified about EAIP?
• Upon acceptance or reopening of a claim; and• Within five days of a worker's first release for work after claim
opening unless the release is for regular work• Notification language
Because of your worker's injury, you may be eligible for assistance through the Employer-at-Injury Program to return the worker to transitional work while the worker's claim is open. To learn more about the assistance available from the program, please call [insurer name and phone number].
Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)Insurer responsibilities• Assist the employer to:• Obtain medical releases• Identify transitional work• Process wage subsidy requests• Make worksite modification purchases• Make EAIP purchases• Request reimbursement from WCD
Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)Employer criteria• Must maintain Oregon workers’ compensation
insurance coverage• Must be the employer-at-injury as defined in OAR 436-
105-0005• Must be employing an eligible worker.
Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)
Worker criteria• The worker must have an accepted or deferred Oregon
workers’ compensation injury or occupational disease claim at the time of the Employer-at-Injury Program• The worker must not be covered by the Injured Inmate
Law
Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)What Starts the Employer-at- Injury Program?
• (5)(b)(A) A medical release that states the worker’s specific current or projected restrictions. These restrictions stay in effect until another release is issued.• No longer do you have to bridge the gaps in work releases
Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)What’s available?
• Wage subsidy - 45 percent of gross wages for transitional work:• Limited to 66 work days within a 24-consecutive -
month period• May not start or end with paid leave• Paid leave is limited for hourly restrictions
Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)
EAIP Purchases
Clothing - $400 Tools & Equipment – combined with worksite modification for a total of $5,000
Tuition, books, and fees - $1,000
Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)
Worksite Modification
Up to $5,000 (combined with the Tools and Equipment category) for altering a worksite (rent, purchase, modify, or supplement)
Must be ordered during EAIP Reimbursable if employer purchased in good faith and
worker refuses to return to work
Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)
Worksite Modification (continued) Property of the employer Insurer determines appropriate worksite modification for worker Must link the modification to the accepted conditions Insurer documents reason for approval
EAIP at Benchmade
Claim for left arm strain
Thought process?1. Prevent timeloss2. Improve work/station where possible
Limitations:Limited use of arms
Benefits utilized:$1,001.76 Equip$216.49 Wages
EAIP at Benchmade
Claim for thoracic (upper back) strain
Thought process?1. Prevent timeloss2. Improve work/station where possible
Limitations:No LCPP >10 lb. (at first), alternate sitting and standing, only occasional reach/push/pull
Benefits utilized:$1,672.58
EAIP at Benchmade
Claim for thoracic (upper back) strain
Colleen Harris
PresidentHarris WorkSystems
Your only fully
stocking dealer in
Portland!
Installation team with over 20 years of experience.
Your employee’s need to return to work as soon as possible not
just for the company’s productivity but for their own livelihood.
They need the correct tools to do this while preventing further
injury.
We understand how
urgent this need is.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Capsico – The best position is the next position.
• Ergonomic – Stylish – Practical
• Dual monitor mount
• Monitor mount adjustment
• Easily move from a sitting to a
standing
• Extra work surface space for three-
ring binders and manila folders
• Keyboard tray goes below the desk
surface
• Quickly and securely attaches to most
any work surface
• Easy height adjustment. No tension
springs to adjust
Don’t Forget About That Weight on Your Shoulders
What You See What You Forget
When considering ergo equipment
do not neglect the strain that is
put on the neck on a daily basis.
Relief from:
• Chronic Pain
• Injury
• Post Surgery
Recovery
• Swelling
• Vascular Issues
Electric Height Adjustable Desks
Providing for injured executives.
Let’s Work Together to get Back to Work!
Contact information
Colleen Harris, Harris WorkSystemscolleenh@harrisworksystems.com
(503) 924-6300
Aubrey Sakaguchi, Benchmade Knife Co.asakaguchi@benchmade.com
(503) 655-6004 ext 209