Work-Related_Illness_and_Injury_Reporting.pdf

Policy 1032 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire DepartmentWork-Related Illness and Injury Reporting - 1 Work-Related Illness and Injury Reporting 1032.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of...

Policy 1032 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire DepartmentWork-Related Illness and Injury Reporting - 1 Work-Related Illness and Injury Reporting 1032.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance regarding the timely reporting of work-related injuries and mental health issues and occupational diseases. 1032.1.1 DEFINITIONS Definitions related to this policy include: Work-related illness or injury - An illness, injury, occupational disease, or mental health issue that is a direct or proximate result of the performance of a member’s duty, or an injury arising out of and in the course of employment (Va. Code § 65.2-101; Va. Code § 65.2-107; Va. Code § 65.2-400). 1032.2 POLICY The Chesapeake Fire Department will address work-related illnesses and injuries and occupational diseases appropriately, and will comply with applicable state law (Va. Code § 40.1-51.1; Va. Code § 65.2-100 et seq.) 1032.3 RESPONSIBILITIES 1032.3.1 MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES A member sustaining any work-related illness or injury shall immediately report such event to a supervisor as soon as practicable, and shall seek medical care when appropriate (Va. Code § 65.2-600). Any member requiring additional treatment following the initial examination should obtain a written statement from the physician advising the department of the diagnosis, treatment plan and prognosis for recovery. All written statements are forwarded to the Health and Safety Officer immediately. 1032.3.2 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES A supervisor learning of any work-related illness or injury should ensure the member receives medical care as appropriate and should notify the Battalion Chief of the reported illness or injury. Supervisors shall ensure that required workers' compensation documents regarding the illness or injury are completed and forwarded to the Battalion Chief promptly. Any related Citywide illness- or injury-reporting protocol shall also be followed. 1032.3.3 BATTALION CHIEF RESPONSIBILITIES The Battalion Chief who receives a report of a work-related illness or injury should review the report for accuracy and determine what additional action should be taken. The report shall then be forwarded to the Fire Chief, the City’s risk management entity and the Health and Safety Officer to Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Work-Related Illness and Injury Reporting Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire DepartmentWork-Related Illness and Injury Reporting - 2 ensure any required Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) reporting is completed as required in the illness and injury prevention plan identified in the Illness and Injury Prevention Program. Work-related incidents resulting in a fatality, inpatient hospitalization of one or more persons, amputation or the loss of an eye must be reported to DOLI within eight hours (Va. Code § 40.1-51.1). Work-related injuries or death must be reported to the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission or the Chesapeake Fire Department’s compensation carrier within 10 days of the occurrence of such injury or death or knowledge of the injury, illness or occupational disease (Va. Code § 65.2-900). 1032.3.4 FIRE CHIEF RESPONSIBILITIES The Fire Chief shall review and forward copies of the report to the Department of Human Resources. Copies of the report and related documents retained by the Department shall be filed in the member’s confidential medical file. 1032.3.5 PEER SUPPORT AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS The [Department_Agency] should make peer support available for [firefighters] whether or not there is a specific incident and should also refer [firefighters] seeking services for mental health to an appropriate mental health professional, all as required by Va. Code § 65.2-107. 1032.4 OTHER ILLNESS OR INJURY Illnesses and injuries caused or occurring on-duty that do not qualify for workers' compensation reporting shall be documented on the designated report of injury form, which shall be signed by a supervisor. A copy of the completed form shall be forwarded to the Health and Safety Officer. Unless the injury is extremely minor, this report shall be signed by the affected member, indicating that he/she desired no medical attention at the time of the report. By signing, the member does not preclude his/her ability to later seek medical attention. 1032.4.1 WORKERS COMPENSATION FORMS In order to process payments for such expenses, all appropriate Worker's compensation forms must be filed. If an employee asks to see a doctor or is taken to the emergency room and there is doubt about the cause of the illness/injury, the supervisor should ensure that the member’s hospitalization insurance information is provided to the proper authority. 1032.5 SETTLEMENT OFFERS The member will be provided An Authorization for Medical Treatment form that should be presented to the care provider. The City assumes financial responsibility for the initial visit even if it is later determined that the cause of the visit was not job related. When a member sustains a work-related illness or injury that is caused by another person and is subsequently contacted by that person, his/her agent, insurance company or attorney and offered Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Work-Related Illness and Injury Reporting Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire DepartmentWork-Related Illness and Injury Reporting - 3 a settlement, the member shall take no action other than to submit a written report of this contact to his/her supervisor as soon as possible.