Captcha AntiSpam Security

Keep the following points in mind as you design your return-to-work program assignments:

1. Your policy book should include a section on transitional work assignments. Make sure that it is clear and concise in explaining that transitional work assignments are mandatory and what the consequences will be for refusing to take an appropriate transitional assignment.
2. Ask your supervisors to compose a list of tasks that could be assigned and performed by a transitioning employee, especially looking at tasks that have been delayed due to a lack of time or manpower. Jobs that are currently being outsourced can also make ideal assignments.
3. Make sure that assignments are congruent with the employee's Work Status Report. This report is completed by the employee's physician and will help you determine what transitional assignments the worker will physically be able to complete.
4. Contact the employee's physician to let him/her know you have a return-to-work program. This initial contact is also the perfect time to ask the physician for recommendations on what types of transitional assignments would be appropriate for the employee's specific temporary medical restriction.
5. Supervisors should also be aware of all medical restrictions a transitioning employee has and understand that any assigned tasks must be within those restrictions.
6. Work with the employee, their treating physician, and their supervisor to establish the transitional assignment's start and end dates prior to the employee returning to work.
7. The specifics of temporary assignments should be documented, including the physical requirements for the assignment, the location from which the employee will be completing the assignment, and the schedule for the assignment. The document should also include a statement that any necessary training will be employer-provided. After you get the employee to sign and date the completed document, you can provide them with a copy and place the original in your personnel files.
8. The employee's regular wage or salary shouldn't be reduced during the temporary assignment, as this could impact indemnity payments and leave the employee with a negative attitude.
9. Avoid providing work just to keep the worker busy, as this could leave the employee feeling degraded.
10. Avoid modifying regular company rules on tardiness; time-off requests, even for medical appointments; attendance; and so forth.
11. Do monitor your employee's progress and make routine follow-ups with their physician.
12. Transitional assignments should never continue indefinitely for any employee, especially once an employee has been released back to regular duty by their physician. Look at non-medical issues that may be behind any delay in an employee being able to return to their permanent job within the time their doctor recommended.

When a return-to-work program is properly designed, it can help you retain your valued employees and help them continue to earn a living. Even though an employee with a medical restriction probably won't be functioning at their full potential, they can still make valuable contributions to your business.

Struck-by injuries statistics prompted OSHA to establish the following procedures for equipment operators to follow in order to avoid creating hazards:

(...continued)

1. All vehicles should be checked each shift to ensure that all accessories and parts are in a safe operating order.
2. Unless a vehicle has a reverse alarm or the driver has a worker to signal them, vehicles with an obstructed rear view should never be driven in reverse.
3. OSHA standard seat belts should be worn unless the equipment is stand-only or doesn’t have a rollover protective structure.
4. Operators of lifting and dumping devices should ensure that they and all other workers are clear of the area before lifting or dumping.
5. Vehicles and equipment should only be operated on maintained and safely constructed grades and roadways.
6. Parked vehicles and equipment should have the parking brake set. If parked on an incline, the wheels should also be chocked.
7. If not in use, bulldozer and scraper blades, dump bodies, end-loader buckets, and other overhead equipment should be lowered or blocked, with the controls in a neutral position.
8. All vehicles should have adequate safety devices, such as braking.
9. There should be a cab shield/canopy on any vehicle loaded by a power shovel, loader, crane, and such.
10. The load and lift capacity of a vehicle should never be exceeded.
11. Any construction taking place near a public roadway should have traffic signs, flagging system, and barricades.
12. Workers must wear warning clothing, such as orange or red vests, to ensure they’re clearly visible. Warning clothing must be reflective if working at night.

Workers must also be mindful of overhead falling objects. This is a particular concern when working beneath scaffolding, cranes, or any area that overhead work is being done. There’s also the danger of objects that potentially could be propelled through the air and strike a worker, such as a power tool or an activity involving something being pried, pulled, or pushed. The following list of OSHA guidelines can protect workers from falling and flying hazards:

1. The first line of head protection is having a hardhat on.
2. Workers in areas where tools or machines could produce flying particles should wear shields, safety goggles, or safety glasses.
3. Materials should be stacked so that they don’t collapse, slide, or fall.
4. Scaffolding areas should feature toe boards, guardrails, screens, debris nets, canopies, or platforms to prevent or catch falling objects. Tools and materials should also be secured to prevent them from falling.
5. Hazard areas should have warning signs and be barricaded.
6. Protective guards on tools, such as lathes and saws, should be inspected for good working condition before use.
7. Never use a power-actuated tool unless trained to do so.
8. Try not to work in areas where underneath loads are being moved.
9. The lift capacity of hoists and cranes shouldn’t be exceeded.
10. All components of a hoist and crane, such as wire, hooks, and chains, should be inspected for good working condition before use.