Preventing accidents versus injury management – you need both, so how do they crossover? Prevention management and injury management strategies intersect, making it critical to workforce planning and maintaining a productive workforce.

There is no ‘one formula fits all’ when it comes to what will work best in your business. For some businesses, their injury prevention culture is strong but they may need support when the inevitable does happen and one of the team has an injury. Others need support to embed better prevention measures throughout. We understand these challenges and needs. We understand that every business has constraints and there are always some risks that can’t be mitigated.

At the heart of injury management in New Zealand is ACC, and whether you are injured at work or outside of work, chances are you will be covered and eligible for funded rehabilitation. Some of New Zealand’s larger employees can take on the responsibility for these ACC claims themselves, by being an approved member of the Accredited Employer Programme (AEP). Regardless of whether ACC manages the claim or your employer, there are key aspects of a claim that are considered best practice.

A key component to any injured employee’s rehabilitation is their ability to adjust financially when incapacitated

For non-work injuries, employers do not cover the first week of entitlement, which normally results in the employee taking leave for the first week, using either sick leave and/or annual leave if they have any. Following the first week, ACC kicks in at 80% of the pre-accident income (up to a maximum of $2,100.68 per week). Often employers will agree to ‘top up’ the 20% portion by the use of sick or annual leave.

If an employee has a work-related accident, the employer has to pay the ‘first week of compensation’ equivalent to 80% of the employee’s earnings and can’t make the employee take the time as sick leave or as annual leave. Some employers ‘top up’ the earnings from 80 to 100% themselves, another approach is agreeing that the employer will ‘top up’ by using one day of the employee’s sick leave or annual for every five days’ leave. Remember that there is a limit to how much ACC compensation will pay.

So, with workers potentially being offline for days, weeks or even months and requiring a tailored return-to-work plan in most cases, how do employers best manage maintaining productivity with less staff or reduced capacity?

Explore our best practice tips for employers to maintain productivity: preventing a claim happening in the first instance or when the unfortunate does happen

• Support a working environment where early reporting and early intervention is encouraged

As a health and safety specialist, I’ve seen measurable decreases in injuries when early intervention and reporting is implemented. The earlier we can be involved with the claim, the better outcome for all. We call this the ‘Early Everything’ approach.

Having access to real-time data across both health and safety systems and injury management platforms will ensure your business has the right information to intervene early and get your employees back to work as effectively and efficiently as possible.

• Provide a safe and effective working environment that includes a ‘no blame’ health and safety investigation process, that actively aims to prevent injuries
  
  The importance of an effective health and safety culture starts off with senior management and the importance on making their workplace safe for all. This includes realistic production/workload planning, managers becoming more hands on and accountable with monitoring the health of their teams and their safety, and involving themselves in all of the associated activities within their business which includes active participation in their health and safety committee meetings.

• Ensure the workplace culture and resourcing is effectively implemented throughout the business, so that workers experience less stress, are not overworked, are less likely to get sick and are actively encouraged to care for themselves, including their mental health
  

It’s a proven fact that tired drivers are more dangerous than drunk drivers on the road. We also know that some vehicles have the latest in crash detection and preventing accidents happening. The same goes for employees and it’s key that employers supply their employees with the right resources they need to do their job. It’s also key to demonstrate that the company values their employees, which does lead to happier, healthier workers. Less fatigued employees, make less mistakes. Also consider being proactive and preventing burnout along with offering alternate ways of working where possible.

We pride ourselves in both preventing and managing ACC injuries – whether it be an injury at work or at home – and achieving reduced return-to-work durations earlier than when managed by ACC.

Find out how we can reduce your ACC or AEP claims durations by talking to us today about how we can guide your injury management approach with the latest in best practice. Alternatively, visit our dedicated website with helpful resources and information.

Jo is an experienced Registered Nurse, with more than a decade of experience in emergency care, health & safety and injury management, making her well placed to advise New Zealand businesses on strategies to maximise productivity. Connect with her on LinkedIn or via email to find out how she can help guide your business into the future.

Why Gallagher Bassett?

Our injury management experts work with some of the country’s largest employers to help them assess risk, manage claims, get employees back to work and ensure the outcome is fair and equitable for all concerned. We also work with clients on their injury prevention strategies, ways to reduce levies and minimise risk through detailed reporting and training. In addition to managing work injury claims through for employers in the AEP, we also support them by managing their non-work injuries with the same proven approach of having dedicated case management with a single point of contact. Our track record of building strong partnerships with clients has resulted in improved return-to-work performance, reduced claims costs and ACC work cover levies.