In an ideal world, there would be no work-related injuries or illnesses. Everyone would work safely, our workplaces would be free from risk, and the working world would be a safer, more productive place. But we aren't there yet. Whilst work health and safety has improved significantly over the years, work-related injuries and illnesses are still occurring. Each year, more than half a million Australian workers suffer a work-related injury or illness, with many of them requiring assistance to return to work at their pre-injury or pre-illness capacity (1).

Workplace rehabilitation (also known as occupational rehabilitation) is the managed process used to assist a worker to return to work and resume their substantive role, following an injury or illness. It is a central feature of Australian Workers Compensation programs and is critical in ensuring an early and durable return to work for injured or ill workers. Failure to support and assist a worker to resume work can have catastrophic outcomes for the individual with the chances of a successful return to work decreasing significantly with each passing day. 

Workplace rehabilitation programs vary depending on the State or Territory’s Workers Compensation legislation, but all programs have the same goal – to help an injured or ill worker return to their pre-injury hours and duties as fast as practically possible. The process isn’t about pushing people to work prematurely, rather continuing them to be involved in work and with their work community. Exposing an injured worker to graded physical and mental work demands, assists them to heal faster, not dissimilar to how a gym program assists with improving physical fitness and mental resilience over time (in fact the two work together very well indeed!). Work, and the ability to earn, to contribute and to be productive, has significant impacts on independence, physical fitness, mental health and ongoing wellbeing. The provision of suitable duties and a supported return to work is therefore essential for the health of the worker, and also critical in their ongoing recovery. 

If you feel workplace rehabilitation can be improved within your business, or if you would like to learn more, here are a few additional resources to get you started:

• Ohpro's ISO45001 Compliant Workplace Rehabilitation Templates
• RACP's Health Benefits of Good Work
• SafeWork Australia - National Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030

References

1) SafeWork Australia - 2021 National Return to Work Survey Report (Feb 2022)