What are an employer’s obligations?
Both you and your employees have responsibilities in relation to safety in the workplace.
As an employer, you must maintain a readily accessible register of injuries for all incidents, accidents and near misses and make sure all employees are aware of it.
Your must also:
- allow the injured worker to visit a doctor
- consult with the injured worker, their treating doctor and CGU about the plan for assisting them return to work
- prepare a Return to Work Plan
- provide the injured worker with employment that is suitable based on their work capacity, until they are able to return to their pre-injury duties.
When an injury occurs
Following an injury an employer must:
- attend the injured worker as soon as possible, ensuring they receive medical treatment if required
- notify CGU as soon as possible
- complete your register of injuries as soon as possible
- implement and monitor a Return To Work Plan for the injured worker
Making a claim
Once a claim form is completed an employer must:
- forward it to CGU within 48 hours of receipt
- forward relevant medical certificates as soon as possible
Employers also have a number of obligations relating to workplace health and safety. For more information refer to the CGU Safety and Risk Services section.
An injured worker’s obligations
An injured worker must:
- notify their employer of any injury or illness as soon as they become aware of it
- make a workers compensation claim (including providing a WorkCover ACT First Medical Certificate) in order to receive payment for medical expenses and any time lost.
- nominate their own treating doctor, usually a GP who agrees to participate in the planning of their return to work
- actively participate in treatment and planning their return to work
- participate in assessments to determine their capacity, rehabilitation progress and future employment prospects
- make every reasonable effort to return to work in suitable employment
- notify their employer within seven days if they are receiving workers' compensation payments and start working for another employer or start their own business.
If your employee doesn’t meet these obligations, their entitlement to weekly payments and medical and other expenses may be affected.
More information regarding employer obligations with WorkCover ACT claims, or copies of any posters, can be found at the WorkCover ACT website.