WorkSafe Victoria has announced it will be focusing its Return to Work inspectors in the western Melbourne suburbs of Laverton, Hoppers Crossing and Werribee, aiming to ensure that employees are complying with their return to work obligations for injured workers.

 

WorkSafe’s Return to Work Director, Ross Jones, said employers played a key role in helping injured workers get back to safe work.

 

“We know businesses are faced with a range of competing demands but it’s essential workplaces are addressing their legal obligations,” he said.

 

“Helping injured workers return to work in a safe and sustainable way can be a complex process so our inspectors’ role is to provide guidance and advice to employers as well as talk them through possible options.”

 

“We want employers to do all they can to maximise an injured worker’s chance of getting back to work, whether it be to their original job or on modified or alternative duties.”

 

“In many cases, you do not need to be 100 per cent recovered to return to work, in fact, getting back to work is an important part of the rehabilitation process.”

 

Almost 5000 injuries in the Wyndham region were reported to WorkSafe over the last five financial years to 30 June 2011, costing employers nearly $100 million in medical costs, wages and other expenses.