Accidents

Despite the best efforts of all members of the College community , accidents do happen. As an employee of the College, you are required to report accidents  to your supervisor. Directive A17— Accident Reporting and Investigation states that : all accidents which involve personal injury to an employee and accidents which result in damage/ loss of College property must be reported using an Accident/Incident Report form. 

The directive further states that: An employee is responsible to ensure that his/her supervisor is immediately notified of accidents or hazardous conditions and that an Accident/Incident Report is initiated. Where an accident results in lost time or medical aid and/or prevents the employee from doing his/her regular duties, the employee must attend Health Services (where available) or seek health services from a physician.

Supervisors  are to ensure that:

i) First aid/medical treatment is provided as required.
ii) The Accident/Incident Report form is completed with the employee.
iii) The Accident /Incident Report is signed by the supervisor and that it is taken to Health Services with the injured employee, if possible. If the accident occurs outside of regular business hours or when a supervisor is not readily available or if urgent circumstances require treatment to precede reporting,the Accident/Incident Report must be forwarded to the supervisor for completion and subsequently sent to Health Services by the end of the next  working day.

Documentation of Injuries

In the unfortunate event that you are injured as a result of an accident several important measures must be taken.

The College, as your employer, is required by law to report all injuries that require medical treatment or result in a loss of work time beyond the day of the accident to the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB).

Whether you wish to pursue a claim with the WSIB or not, the employer is still obligated to file it’s report within 72 hours of the injury. The Accident / Incident Report forms the basis for the documentation that will be sent to the WSIB regarding your injury.

The initial documentation provided to the WSIB reports the circumstances of the accident and the nature of the injury, along with necessary employment information for compensation purposes.

Following the submission of this documentation, you will be contacted by the WSIB to obtain more detailed and personal information. Depending on the claim, this may take anywhere from two to six weeks.

Staying In Touch

The Workplace Safety & Insurance Act requires that employees who are off due to a work related injury stay in touch with their employers and vice versa. You should be providing regularly updated medical certificates to your supervisor and Human Resources. Typically your medical certificates will indicate the anticipated date of return to work. Your supervisor may also contact you periodically while you are away.

In addition, staying in touch allows you the opportunity to ask questions regarding your claim and it’s progress, your pay and benefits, and helps you stay informed about things happening at work, which may make your return to work easier.

Modified Work

Modified work refers to the adjustment of work hours and duties to coincide with an injured worker’s functional ability at stages during their recovery. It allows an opportunity to lessen the financial and social effects of a prolonged absence from work by returning an employee to work gradually as early and safely as possible. In accordance with WSIB legislation, employers are required to undertake measures for an early and safe return to work for injured workers in consultation with your physician. If you are injured at work and there is an opportunity to pursue modified duties, you will be contacted by Human Resources. Your cooperation in such a program is required according to WSIB legislation.