Helping your business in tough times
It is important you continue to maintain a safe place of work and support the recovery and return to work of injured workers during difficult economic times. Read on for tools and information that may help or you can download a printable version.
Keeping your workplace safe
If you are downsizing or otherwise changing the structure of your workplace, it’s possible that new hazards will be created. There may be fewer workers or supervisors, meaning work processes change or there is less supervision.
- Talk with your employees about changes, and make sure the workplace continues to be safe. Your workers can often have good ideas about how to fix safety problems.
- Find out more about consultation with your workers.
- Changes in the workplace may also be a source of anxiety to you and your workers.
- Find out more about work-related stress
- You should also ensure that your machinery and equipment remains in safe working order, and that it is properly maintained, serviced and guarded. Download Machinery and Equipment Safety
- Small businesses with less than 50 employees can apply for 3 hours of free, independent health and safety advice from a professional consultant. This may help you to identify and resolve safety issues in your workplace.
Paying your premium
Your WorkSafe injury insurance premium provides insurance cover for the costs of benefits if your workers are injured or become ill because of their work.
If your insurance premium is under $1000, you need to pay the full amount by 1 November to avoid any late fees.
If your premium is over $1000, you can choose to pay in installments throughout the year. Provided you are not paying the minimum premium ($162.80 incl GST for 2009/10), if you pay in full by 1 October you will receive a 3% discount.
You can also make your premium payments (of up to $10,000) using your credit card.
If you are not insured and one of your workers suffers a work-related injury or illness, you may face penalties for not holding a policy. You may also be liable for the full cost of any injury claims incurred while you were uninsured.
It’s important that you contact your WorkSafe Agent to inform them of any changes to your business, as this may affect your insurance premium. For example, if you sell part of your business, or change the type of activity at your business.
If one of your workers is injured
Steps you need to take if a worker is injured
Step 1
As soon as the injury occurs help the injured worker seek medical treatment and ensure the injury is recorded in your workplace ‘Register of Injuries’. You must notify WorkSafe if the incident caused serious injury or death.
Step 2
When you receive your worker’s injury claim form and other accompanying documentation, you must lodge it with your WorkSafe Agent within ten days. By law, you cannot refuse a claim or dismiss your worker for making one.
Step 3
Stay in touch with your injured worker to maintain your relationship with them and to aid their return to work.
Returning to work after an injury
Helping an injured worker return to safe and sustainable work is something an employer is required to do by law.
You can help your worker back to work by:
- talking with them to establish an appropriate and goal oriented return to work plan
- informing the worker and their treating healthcare practitioner of possible duties available once they have a capacity to perform some work
- including an offer of suitable employment in the return to work plan where the worker’s medical certificate specifies a capacity to perform some work
- asking your Agent if you are eligible for Small Business-Return to Work Essentials, which provides advice and hands-on support, and helps you complete the paperwork and plan for your worker’s return to work.
Got a question?
For general information including dealing with safety issues, making a claim and WorkSafe publications contact WorkSafe
For specific insurance, claims and premium information, and advice on returning workers to work please contact your WorkSafe Agent.
