Spring Fire Department Occupational Injury/Illness Policy PDF (SFD.061 REV 01)

Document Number: SFD.061 Date: 05/15/18 Revision Number: 01 PURPOSE This policy provides procedures for accident reporting resulting from workplace injuries or work related illnesses. Spring Fire Department is committed to making the workplace a safe and healthy environment, to preventing work-rel...

Document Number: SFD.061 Date: 05/15/18 Revision Number: 01 PURPOSE This policy provides procedures for accident reporting resulting from workplace injuries or work related illnesses. Spring Fire Department is committed to making the workplace a safe and healthy environment, to preventing work-related accidents, and to the treatment, care and return to work of members injured on the job. Spring Fire Department is required by Texas Workers Compensation to pay for members' medical treatment and to compensate employees for wage loss arising from a compensable work-related injury or disease. This policy provides information to employees and supervisors about the requirements and responsibilities relating to the reporting of work-related injuries and illnesses. All members of Spring Fire Department share the responsibility for maintaining safety by practicing good safety habits and by avoiding carelessness. Any real or potential safety hazard or environmental health hazard should be reported immediately to their District Chief and Human Resources. Any on-the-job illness or injury, no matter how minor the injury may seem, must be reported immediately to the District Chief on duty. This procedure is not all encompassing and shall coincide with provisions from the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Worker's Compensation, Texas Mutal Insurance, Spring Fire Department FMLA (SFD.051) and Drug/Alcohol Policy (SFD.014) and any other applicable laws or procedures. SCOPE This policy applies to all personnel of Spring Fire Department whereas defined. DEFINITIONS Member: Includes full-time; part-time employees and volunteers. Employee: Hired full-time or part-time personnel. Volunteer: All members who are not hired employees. REVIEW The Fire Chief or designee is responsible for reviewing this guideline annually and assuring its accuracy. Page 1of4 Manual Name: Spring Fire Department Policies & Procedures Document Title: Occupational Injury/Illness Policy Chiefs Signature: Document Number: SFD.061 Date: 05/15/18 Revision Number: 01 PROCEDURE/POLICY Spring Fire Department may require a member returning from leave to undergo a fit for duty exam before returning to duty when: • The Department can demonstrate that it has a reasonable belief that the member's current condition may prevent him or her from performing an essential function. • Serious health condition: o I. A serious health condition can be one in which the member is unable to perform their duties as a result of: • health condition requiring inpatient care, • absence of more than three calendar days that also involves continuing treatment by a medical professional or • any incapacity related to a period of treatment for a chronic condition Member Responsibility· Department Related Injury A. If you are injured, immediately notify your supervisor. Your supervisor will assess the situation, assist with arranging proper medical care and begin the injury reporting process. B. You must cooperate with your supervisor, claims administrator, adjustor, and Fire Department Human Resources in the completion of all relevant documents, including following medical direction from medical providers. C. All follow up care shall be treated by a WORKWELL Network Provider, contact Human Resources for a list of providers or by calling 1-844-867-2338. D. Return to Duty with Restrictions: If the Medical Provider imposes work restrictions, Human Resources and the Executive Chief's will review the job modifications that are required to comply with the restrictions. Every effort will be made to accommodate the employee's restrictions whereas, light-duty will be utilized requiring the employee to report to light duty Monday thru Friday, 8 hours daily. Members who are released with restrictions, such restrictions must be adhered to at their other employment as authorized by the treating Workers Compensation Physician. Volunteer Member's do not qualify for modified (Light) duty at Spring Fire Department. E. Other/Secondary Employment: It is important to note that Members that are listed as "unable to return to work" or 100% off cannot work anywhere while on this work restriction. Anyone found to be working while on "no work" restrictions whether for Page 2 of 4 Manual Name: Spring Fire Department Policies & Procedures Document Title: Occupational Injury/Illness Policy Chief's Signature: Document Number: SFD.061 Date: 05/15/18 Revision Number: 01 Spring or elsewhere may jeopardize their eligibility to receive compensation from the insurance company and may be subject to legal measures from the insurance company to recover any amounts paid while individual was working while on Workers Compensation leave. F. Failure to Return: If a recovering employee is released to return to work with medical restrictions, failure to return to work will be subject to disciplinary action. Employees are to return to work once cleared with or without restrictions. G. Workers' Compensation Leave: To the extent it qualifies, will be designated as FMLA leave and will run concurrently with FMLA. H. Fully Cleared/Return to Work: When member is cleared to return to work, with no restrictions, member shall undergo a Department Fit for Duty test. Fit for Duty test will be scheduled by Human resources, member may return to duty after successfully passing the Fitness for Duty test. II. Supervisor Responsibility A. Supervisor must immediately assess the incident and assist the member in seeking appropriate medical care or necessary treatment for any duty-related injury. Minor Injuries of a First-Aid nature, should be treated on-site utilizing our E.M.T.'s and First Aid Kits. Injuries beyond first aid shall be treated at a TexasStar Network Provider. If an injury/illness is life-threatening, call 911. Supervisors shall immediately report the illness/injury to the on-duty District Chief. Ill. District Chief Responsibility A. District Chief will make arrangements to transport the member to the Emergency Room or Urgent Care for non-life threatening injuries or illnesses where an ambulance is not medically necessary. B. District Chief shall notify the Executive Chiefs and HR of injuries that require medical attention. C. District Chief shall retrieve the Occupational Injury Packet located in the District Chief's vehicle and begin filling out the paperwork. The District Chief shall ensure all applicable paperwork is filled out, and the injured member is provided with all needed documents. D. Post-Accident/lniurv Drug Testing: Drug testing must take place within two hours or as soon as possible, following an injury requiring medical care (injuries beyond First Aid treatable). Notify AMTA for a specimen collection, AMTA may also come to the medical facility to collect a specimen. Page 3 of 4 Manual Name: SprinQ Fire Department Policies & Procedures Document Title: Occupational Injury/Illness Policy Chiefs Signature: Document Number: SFD.061 Date: 05/15/18 Revision Number: 01 AMTA-Anytime Mobile Drug Testing 6601 Cypresswood Drive Suite #231 Cell Phone - 936-419-6391 E. Prescription First Fill: Texas Mutual's First Fill Program enables our members to get prescribed medication quickly after an injury occurs, even if a claim hasn't been filed yet. Provide the injured member with the Prescription First Fill Form located in the Occupational Injury Packet. F. Complete a First Report of Injury: Submit completed form to the Payroll/Benefits Administrator. If an employee reports an on-the-job injury which may not be compensable, the First Report of Injury form must still be submitted. Recommended Facility for Non-Life Threatening Care Next Level Urgent Care 15882 Champions Forest Drive Spring, Texas 77379 281-783-8162 Open Everyday from 7am-9pm Recommended Facility for Emergency Care or care outside of Urgent Care CHI St. Luke's Health - Springwoods Village Hospital 2255 E. Mossy Oaks Rd, Spring, TX 77389 Main - 346-305-5000 24 Hours **If member is hurt at work and it is a life-threatening emergency, Ambulance Personnel will make the determination of where to transport the member.** Insurance Provider Texas Mutual Workers Compensation Insurance Policy Number 0001052482 1-800-859-5995- P.O. Box 12058, Austin, TX 78711-2058 Page 4 of 4