Avoid a workcover claim; protect your business and employees

A focus on occupational health and safety is one of the primary responsibilities of running a business, and you're unlikely to retain staff without sound OH&S provisions in place.

WorkCover ties in closely with this, providing protection to both your business and your employees in the event of accident or injury.

What is WorkCover?

The WorkCover Act is the Accident Compensation Act that protects workers who have been injured during the course of their employment with a particular company.

"A business pays a WorkCover premium based on the number of employees it has and the industry value therein," explains solicitor Michael Glen of Rennick Briggs Lawyers.

"As a result of paying that premium, workers who are injured are protected under the provisions of the Accident Compensation Act."

The WorkCover premium

All businesses are required by law to pay a WorkCover premium. And this can only be a good thing, as it protects you from having to pay out of your own pocket if an employee gets injured at work.

Obviously you'll want to protect your staff and minimise the chance of an employee needing to lodge a WorkCover claim. To do that you need to have sound WorkSafe practices in place.

"This could be anything from machines being properly guarded to employees wearing the right protective equipment and clothing, and proper safety provisions," says Michael.

Providing a safe working environment for your employees can also have a financial benefit. "The more WorkCover claims that employees make on particular companies the higher the premiums rise from year to year," says Michael.

WorkCover claims

Under WorkCover rules, an employee must notify their employer of an injury or illness within 30 days of becoming aware of it. If the employee needs medical treatment or time off work because of the injury or illness, they will need to make a WorkCover claim.

Get the right advice

WorkCover is a complex area that can often be daunting to both businesses and employees. Getting the right advice is all-important to ensure your business is on the right side of the law, and to keep employees happy and safe.

If you have questions about a WorkCover claim or issue, an employment lawyer can help by:

• advising on court proceedings that may arise from WorkCover claims
• advising on all aspects of WorkCover and the Accident Compensation Act
• providing advice and assistance with WorkCover self-insurance obligations
• providing litigation expertise.

Protecting your business

Remember, paying a WorkCover premium is not only a legal obligation, but it can ultimately benefit your business in the ways that matter most to you.

To get the most up-to-date and detailed advice on how WorkCover can work for your business and your employees, contact an employment lawyer today.