ON-THE-JOB ACCIDENT
REPORTING PROCEDURE FOR EXTENSION PERSONNEL
The following information outlines the appropriate steps to take in
reporting an on-the-job accident or injury and a general explanation of
Worker's Compensation and how it is applied to Michigan State
University Extension.
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Workers' Compensation as its name implies, provides compensation, both
medical and monetary, for any Extension employee who sustains an injury
in the performance of duty. Under the law, an injured employee is
entitled to immediate first aid and complete medical care at no cost.
Further, the law warrants payment of monetary compensation (lost time
wages) to the injured employee as long as medical evidence indicates
that the employee is totally or partially disabled and has sustained a
wage loss due to the injury. The mechanics of the payment system are of
no concern at this time, but it is important to remember to follow the
reporting procedure to insure an Extension employee his/her right to
benefits under the law. Health benefit plans, such as Blue Cross, carry
an exclusion clause regarding Workers' Compensation injuries and will
not accept a claim if aware that it is work-connected. Consequently,
the only recourse an Extension employee has for medical or monetary
compensation in an on-the-job accident situation is Worker's
Compensation.
WHAT TO REPORT
Workers' Compensation procedures suggest that all injuries, even those
of a seemingly minor nature like a scratched finger or a bumped knee,
should be officially reported. Sometimes the so-called minor injury
develops into a serious, complicated condition. Certainly, any
on-the-job injury which requires a physician's attention and/or caused
absence from work should, without question, be officially
reported. To report work related injuries, complete and
submit the MSU
Report
of Claimed Occupational Injury or Illness.
REPORT IMMEDIATELY
In the event of an on-the-job accident, the injured party should obtain
first aid as needed and notify the immediate supervisor of the incident
as soon as practicable. If the injured party is on the MSU payroll, the
immediate supervisor should notify the ANR Human Resources Office of
the incident as soon as possible; if the injured party is on a county
payroll, the immediate supervisor should notify the appropriate county
Personnel Officer as soon as possible. For Workmen's Compensation
reporting purposes, the immediate supervisor for the County Extension
Director is the Regional Supervisor; for county agents, the CED is the
immediate supervisor; for Program Associates and paraprofessionals, the
program professional is the immediate supervisor.
FORMS
County notice of the accident to the ANR Human Resources office
activates the mailing, normally on the same day as notification, of any
necessary forms. Further correspondence proves necessary, especially
with the injured employee. In all instances, a cover letter of
directions specifically explaining which questions need to be answered
or what information is being sought accompanies the request. The forms
should be returned to the ANR Human Resources Office within 10 working
days from the date of the accident. The immediate supervisor should
insure that all materials, both from the injured employee and the
immediate supervisor, are properly completed and promptly returned to
the ANR Human Resources Office. A current form is included in this
section of the administrative handbook.
DOCTOR'S RELEASE
If an employee loses time from work (other than for
immediate medical attention) as a result of an on-the-job accident, a
written doctor's release is required before this person is allowed to
return to work. The release should specifically indicate any work
limitations imposed on the individual as a result of the injury, e.g.
restrictions against lifting in a back injury case. If the employee's
return is on a restricted basis, a written schedule of duties and
hours, if appreciably altered, should be prepared by the immediate
supervisor and signed by both the employee and the immediate
supervisor. Upon receiving the written release along with the statement
of restricted duties, if necessary, should then be forwarded to the
appropriate Personnel Office. If, upon returning to work, the injured
employee requires further medical attention as a result of the original
on-the-job accident, the employee should obtain authorization for this
additional treatment from the appropriate Personnel Office.
Any questions concerning Workers' Compensation coverage should
be directed to:
ANR Human Resources Office
113 Agriculture Hall
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
517/353-9108
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