CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION NATIONAL DIVISIONAL POLICY ON REHABILITATION ENDORSED BY THE NATIONAL DIVISIONAL EXECUTIVE 4th November 1998 REHABILITATION POLICY This document sets out the Policy of the CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION on Rehabilitation for the information of Members and Officials Included with the Policy is an introduction, which provides a background for the reading and application of the Policy. This Policy is binding on all CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION Members and Officials. Any queries about the Policy should be directed to either the Branch or National Divisional Office. 1. INTRODUCTION Rehabilitate: To restore to a good condition, a former capacity or standing; Regenerate or alter to an improved form; To educate for resumption of normal activities, as a person handicapped by accident or disease; In addition to comprehensive financial compensation, including common law action, readily available rehabilitation and health care services should care for victims of occupational injury and disease. Rehabilitation may be defined as the restoration of victims suffering occupational ill health to the fullest physical, mental social, vocational and economic usefulness of which they are capable. It is a process, which begins at the moment of injury or ill health and continues until the worker is as fully restored as possible. Accordingly, injured workers should have ready access to high quality medical care with on-site facilities being made available wherever possible. The CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION supports rehabilitation and calls upon employers, Federal and State Governments to provide rehabilitation services which are designed to prepare injured workers, whenever possible, for resumption of their previous activity. If this is not possible then the most suitable gainful activity having regard to the worker's aptitudes and capacity. Such rehabilitation services should be developed in conjunction with the Union and be linked to prevention orientated occupational health, safety and welfare services in recognition of the Unions policy that the primary focus should be on the prevention of occupational ill-health. Recognising the need for efficient and easily accessible rehabilitation services the CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION calls upon the Federal and State Governments to cooperate so as to ensure the coordination of existing resources and to expand these resources such that they are located in areas of greatest need. As part of a general rehabilitation strategy the CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION supports the further development of retraining facilities so that injured workers may, where necessary, be retrained through appropriate work therapy programs and further education to enable them to return to sustainable employment. As an element in the rehabilitation progress, employers are urged to develop, in conjunction with the Union, an appropriate rehabilitation program. The following points should be noted with respect to such a program: Participation in a program should be voluntary and will not jepardise the continued job security of the individual; A worker will not suffer any loss of income whilst participating on such a programme; Participation should be consistent with the medical advice of a doctor of the workers' choice; Persons participating in a program will be expected to resume their previous activity or the most suitable gainful activity within a reasonable time if possible; A multi-disciplinary approach should be adopted and accordingly the advice of professionals in various disciplines should be sought, where appropriate including those in the areas of: Physiotherapy Occupational health Occupational therapy Rehabilitation medicine Ergonomics Workplace design, and Rehabilitation counseling. Programs should commence with an individual assessment of the injured worker and the workplace should be adapted to fit the injured worker's capabilities.