Other sprains and strains |
  
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Other sprains and strains |
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The supervisor or first aider should use common sense. If the person says they are ok to continue, but don't look ok, work should stop. |
| 1. | Injury reported to supervisor / manager / first aider on site. |
| 2. | Treat with first aid, such as an ice pack if appropriate |
| 3. | Arrange medical care |
| 4. | Incident report completion |
| 5. | Plan modified duties where appropriate. Engage the employee in identifying duties |
| 6. | Help out with transport where appropriate |
Sore body parts (sprains and strains) are generally first reported to the supervisor. People may report early, or when the problem gets to a level they consider troublesome.
Reporting usually occurs in person at the workplace, or by phone if the injury gets worse while off work.
Once reported the question becomes should the person continue to work or stop? The best person to make that decision is the one with the pain.
Ignoring the condition, encouraging the person to continue at work when they don't feel up to it is fraught with problems. For the person it means the job is seen to be more important than they are. The person will feel partnership is missing and the organisation can expect the same attitude from them in return.
The alternatives are:
| 1. | Stop work stop straight away and a medical review is arranged |
| 2. | Arrange for medical review (later the same day, the next day) and the person continues their normal job until the scheduled appointment |
| 3. | Arrange for medical review (later the same day, the next day) and the person's job is modified until the scheduled appointment. |
The person reporting the condition should be asked which of the alternatives is appropriate for the situation. The supervisor or first aider should use common sense. If the person says they are ok to continue, but don't look ok, work should stop.
What's next?
What is a circumstances investigation?
