Getting Back to Work How Employers Can

Encourage an Early Return to Work After Injury

Presented by Aubrey Sakaguchi & Colleen Harris

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Aubrey Sakaguchi• Risk Management / Insurance Agent• Risk / Safety Consulting (public sector)• Early Return to Work Consulting • EH&S Specialist

• Previous Injured Worker• 11 car accidents (She’s a good driver!)• Didn’t walk for almost 6 weeks following the worst

• Thus began the journey into ergonomics

Colleen Harris

About the Instructors

Preview• What is EAIP and PWP• How employers can become eligible and what employees are

eligible• How the EAIP program can impact your organization’s bottom

line• What an EAIP overhaul can look like for your organization

Return to Work Programs

The Employer-at-Injury Program (EAIP) and Preferred Worker Program (PWP) were designed to encourage re-employment of qualified Oregon workers who incurred injury caused limitations from an on-the-job injury.

Return to work programs

How are the programs funded?

• EAIP and PWP are funded by worker and employer contributions to the Workers’ Benefit Fund (WBF)

• Oregon workers and employers pay about 3.3 cents per hour for every hour worked

Return to work programs

How are the programs designed?

Employer-at-Injury Program (EAIP)• Available when the claim is deferred or open• Speeds return to work, lowers claim costs, keeps workers working

and productive

Preferred Worker Program (PWP)• Available after claim closure or when medical evidence indicates the

worker knows he or she cannot return to work because of permanent work restrictions

Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)When are you notified about EAIP?

• Upon acceptance or reopening of a claim; and• Within five days of a worker's first release for work after claim

opening unless the release is for regular work• Notification language

Because of your worker's injury, you may be eligible for assistance through the Employer-at-Injury Program to return the worker to transitional work while the worker's claim is open. To learn more about the assistance available from the program, please call [insurer name and phone number].

Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)Insurer responsibilities• Assist the employer to:• Obtain medical releases• Identify transitional work• Process wage subsidy requests• Make worksite modification purchases• Make EAIP purchases• Request reimbursement from WCD

Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)Employer criteria• Must maintain Oregon workers’ compensation

insurance coverage• Must be the employer-at-injury as defined in OAR 436-

105-0005• Must be employing an eligible worker.

Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)

Worker criteria• The worker must have an accepted or deferred Oregon

workers’ compensation injury or occupational disease claim at the time of the Employer-at-Injury Program• The worker must not be covered by the Injured Inmate

Law

Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)What Starts the Employer-at- Injury Program?

• (5)(b)(A) A medical release that states the worker’s specific current or projected restrictions. These restrictions stay in effect until another release is issued.• No longer do you have to bridge the gaps in work releases

Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)What’s available?

• Wage subsidy - 45 percent of gross wages for transitional work:• Limited to 66 work days within a 24-consecutive -

month period• May not start or end with paid leave• Paid leave is limited for hourly restrictions

Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)

EAIP Purchases

Clothing - $400 Tools & Equipment – combined with worksite modification for a total of $5,000

Tuition, books, and fees - $1,000

Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)

Worksite Modification

Up to $5,000 (combined with the Tools and Equipment category) for altering a worksite (rent, purchase, modify, or supplement)

Must be ordered during EAIP Reimbursable if employer purchased in good faith and

worker refuses to return to work

Employer at Injury Program (EAIP)

Worksite Modification (continued) Property of the employer Insurer determines appropriate worksite modification for worker Must link the modification to the accepted conditions Insurer documents reason for approval

EAIP at Benchmade

Claim for left arm strain

Thought process?1. Prevent timeloss2. Improve work/station where possible

Limitations:Limited use of arms

Benefits utilized:$1,001.76 Equip$216.49 Wages

EAIP at Benchmade

Claim for thoracic (upper back) strain

Thought process?1. Prevent timeloss2. Improve work/station where possible

Limitations:No LCPP >10 lb. (at first), alternate sitting and standing, only occasional reach/push/pull

Benefits utilized:$1,672.58

EAIP at Benchmade

Claim for thoracic (upper back) strain

Colleen Harris

PresidentHarris WorkSystems

Your only fully

stocking dealer in

Portland!

Installation team with over 20 years of experience.

Your employee’s need to return to work as soon as possible not

just for the company’s productivity but for their own livelihood.

They need the correct tools to do this while preventing further

injury.

We understand how

urgent this need is.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Capsico – The best position is the next position.

• Ergonomic – Stylish – Practical

• Dual monitor mount

• Monitor mount adjustment

• Easily move from a sitting to a

standing

• Extra work surface space for three-

ring binders and manila folders

• Keyboard tray goes below the desk

surface

• Quickly and securely attaches to most

any work surface

• Easy height adjustment. No tension

springs to adjust

Don’t Forget About That Weight on Your Shoulders

What You See What You Forget

When considering ergo equipment

do not neglect the strain that is

put on the neck on a daily basis.

Relief from:

• Chronic Pain

• Injury

• Post Surgery

Recovery

• Swelling

• Vascular Issues

Electric Height Adjustable Desks

Providing for injured executives.

Let’s Work Together to get Back to Work!

Contact information

Colleen Harris, Harris WorkSystemscolleenh@harrisworksystems.com

(503) 924-6300

Aubrey Sakaguchi, Benchmade Knife Co.asakaguchi@benchmade.com

(503) 655-6004 ext 209