20 Canadian occupational safety www.cos-mag.com
ReTURN-
To-WoRK
the sCieNCe of
workplace factors that can help or
hinder successful work reintegration
f
or disability management and
occupational health professionals
looking to improve their return-
to-work (RTW) programs, research
can be a best friend in pointing the
way forward. e Institute for Work
and Health (IWH) — an independent,
not-for-profit organization based
in Toronto — has been conducting
research into disability prevention for
more than 20 years. It has amassed
evidence about the workplace and
work-related factors that can help and
hinder return to work.
What helps?
In 2007, the Institute published the Seven
Principles for Successful Return to Work.
Based on a 2004 systematic review of
good quality studies on workplace-based
RTW programs, the lead researchers —
Renée-Louise Franche (now an IWH
adjunct scientist) and IWH scientist
Ellen MacEachen — found the following
characteristics have a positive effect on
the duration and costs of work disability:
• the workplace has a strong commit-
ment to health and safety, which is
demonstrated by the behaviours of
the workplace parties
• the employer makes an offer
of modified work to injured/ill
workers so they can return early and
safely to work activities suitable to
their abilities
• RTW planners ensure the plan sup-
ports the returning worker without
disadvantaging co-workers and
supervisors
• supervisors are trained in work
disability prevention and included in
RTW planning
• the employer makes an early and
considerate contact with injured/
ill workers
• someone has the responsibility to
co-ordinate RTW
• employers and health-care providers
communicate with each other about
the workplace demands as needed,
and with the worker's consent.
Because new studies have been pub-
lished since the systematic review was
conducted about a decade ago, IWH has
collaborated with colleagues at Austra-
lia's Institute for Safety, Compensation
and Recovery Research to update this
review. Due to be completed later this
year, the updated review should pro-
vide the latest evidence on effective
workplace-based RTW interventions.
Given that offering accommodated
work affects RTW outcomes, know-
ing what makes work accommodation
effective is important.
A study led by Franche, published in
2009, found work accommodations are
more likely to be offered by workplaces
with strong disability management
policies and practices. ese practices
include:
• contacting workers shortly a er injury
or illness to express concern and
offer help
• working with physicians to develop
return-to-work plans
• following up a er injured workers
return to adjust the work situation
as needed
• providing retraining when injured
workers can't return
Electrolab (5197).indd 1 13-03-18 10:01 AM
By Cindy Moser and Dwayne Van Eerd
