A free workshop which aims to give employers the tools they need to help injured workers back to work sooner will be conducted on February 16 in Melbourne’s west.
Occupational Physiotherapist Nick Economos and psychologists Jacqui Stanford and Dr Peter Cotton will serve as speakers for this event. Each will share their industry experience and insight on improving return to work outcomes.
They will also help employers on how to support injured people who are at the highest risk of not returning to work, particularly those with a musculoskeletal and/or psychological injury.
Dr Cotton will assist employers in learning the skills to build resilience in injured workers to help guard against the onset of secondary psychological problems that commonly arise from prolonged work absences.
This workshop will be held from 9am to 11.30am at Sanctuary Lakes Resort in Sanctuary Lakes (Point Cook). To register for this event, please visit the ‘Workshops and events’ section at www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/returntowork.
Latest figures reveal that employers who attend WorkSafe’s return to work events achieve return to work rates up to 3.4% better than employers who do not.
An estimated 29,000 Victorians suffer work-related injuries every year. Around 3,000 of these workers will be out of the workforce for more than six months.
According to WorkSafe, almost 18,000 injuries from businesses in Melbourne’s west have been reported over the past five financial years. Treatment, rehabilitation, as well as compensation costs exceed $ 366-million.
WorkSafe’s Return to Work Division Director, Dorothy Frost said that upholding the morale of injured workers was a key factor in achieving better return to work outcomes.
“No one wants to be hurt, and returning to work is an important part of the recovery process.
“The work needs to be safe for the injured person, but it does not always have to be their pre-injury job or even the old hours. Looking for opportunities is the key.”
For more information, please contact WorkSafe’s Return to Work Project Manager, Danielle Jacobs on 9940 4283 or email rtw_network@worksafe.vic.gov.au. You can also visit www.worksafe.vic.gov.au.
