Work Related Injuries

Policy

To encourage and promote a safe work environment, an employee who experiences any work related accident, injury, and/or illness is required to report the information to the College in accordance with established procedures. The employee should report the incident(s) to the respective supervisor immediately or as soon as practically possible.

If medical attention is needed because of a work related accident, injury and/or illness, it is the employee’s responsibility to notify a physician that the incident is work related. The employee may choose to see their own medical provider or a medical provider that treats work related injuries and accidents. The College can recommend a medical provider that accepts work related injury patients.

If the accident, injury and/or illness results in time loss that is compensable under the

Washington State Workers’ Compensation Law, an employee must submit leave requests for time missed from work while off work due to a work related injury.  An employee who suffers a work related injury or accident is not eligible for shared leave.

1. An employee who is eligible for sick leave, vacation/annual leave, compensatory time, or holiday pay may elect to receive payments for any of these and for industrial insurance time loss. 
2. Any payback to the state of sick leave used during time loss.
3. An employee may elect to be on leave without pay and receive industrial insurance time loss payments.

It is the responsibility of the supervisor to report and forward the completed Report of Employee Personal Injury/Incident/Accident form to Human Resources.

It is the responsibility of the College, the supervisor, and the employee to comply with the provisions of the College Return To Work Policy if light or modified duty is an approved action.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to emphasize the College’s commitment to provide a safe work environment and to outline the responsibilities and procedures for reporting work related accidents, injuries and/or illnesses.  This policy sets forth the responsibilities and procedures for claiming workers’ compensation due to an accident, injury and/or illness in accordance with College policy and state laws.

To Whom Does This Policy Apply

This policy applies to all employees and volunteers of the College.

References

RCW 51.32.090 - Temporary total disability -- Partial restoration of earning power –

Return to available work -- When employer continues wages -- Limitations.

WAC 357-31-235 May an employee use leave if the employee sustains a work-related injury or illness that is compensable under the state workers’ compensation law?

WAC 251-19-158 - Workers' compensation -- Return-to-work -- Eligibility.

College Policy - Return To Work

See College Policy -Definitions

Definitions

None

Procedure

An employee who has a work related accident, injury and/or illness shall:

1. Immediately report the accident, injury and/or illness to his/her immediate supervisor;
2. Complete the College Report of Employee Personal Injury/Incident/Accident form  within 24 hours of the incident or as soon as practically possible.
3. Complete the employee’s portion of the Washington State Fund Accident Report form (F242-130-000) if the accident, injury and/or illness requires the employee to seek medical attention. The medical provider initiates the claim paperwork and provides the Washington State Fund Accident Report Form to the injured eimployee at the time of the reported incident for the employee’s completion.
4. Complete leave requests and submit them through the TLS (Time and Leave System) electronic leave reporting system when absent from work.

Note L&I provides notice to the employer - Provide a release to work statement from a medical provider if time loss has occurred because of a work related accident, injury and/or illness. The College may request a release to work statement or an activity prescription form from the employee even if the employee does not receive time loss.

The supervisor of an employee who has reported a work related accident, injury and/or illness shall:

1. Forward the completed College Report of Employee Personal Injury/Incident/Accident form to Human Resources,
2. Forward all work related accident, injury and/or illness employee documents received from the employee to Human Resources.
3. Consult with the Human Resources office to coordinate any return to work provisions per College policy.