There are specific definitions outlined in the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 that prescribe what constitutes a work related injury or illness. This is of particular importance when it comes to assessing one’s potential to be applicable for Worksafe injury insurance. When it comes to OHS policy around this issue, the worksafe Australia codes of practice are quite clear.
The WHS Act sets out that an injury is work related is it happens in a workplace or during the conduct of an individual’s work role. To be considered serious, an injury or illness must require the worker to seek immediate treatment* as a hospital in-patient for:
- Amputation of a limb(s) or body part(s)
- A serious head injury: includes damage to skull, blood clots or bleeding. Does not include temporary or permanent amnesia or bruises/skin lacerations.
- A serious eye injury that causes partial or full loss of vision. Irritation is not covered.
- A serious burn that requires critical care (eg compression garment or skin graft) or involves a separation of the skin from the body. Does not include burns that require basic washing or cold packs.
- A spinal injury to the cervical, thoracic, sacral or lumbar vertebrae that causes the worker to miss at least four days of work.
- A loss of bodily function such as consciousness, movement, sense or function of an internal organ. Sprains, strains and fractures do not apply.
- Serious lacerations that cause muscle, tendon, blood vessel or nerve impairment.
For more information of work-related injuries, go to Safe Work Australia.
Alternatively the WHS Act also outlines the medical treatments usually considered to indicate a serious illness. In this context, treatment is defined as medical care by a registered medical practitioner, a paramedic or a nurse. A serious illness is one that requires medical treatment within 48 hours after a worker is exposed to a substance that causes:
A work-related infection that involves:
- Micro-organisms
- Treatment
- Contact with human blood or bodily substances
- Contact with animal skin, carcasses, waste, hides, wool or hair
A disease transmitted to a worker from contact with animal skin, hides, wool, hair, waste or carcasses is also considered. Such diseases include:
- Anthrax
- Brucellosis
- Avian influenza
- Psittacosis
- Hendra Virus
- Leptospirosis
- Q Fever
For more information of work-related disease, go to Safe Work Australia.
*Immediate treatment refers to any stay a paitent has in hospital regardless of duration. It should be noted however that out-patient treatment in the emergency ward of a hospital, corrective surgery or instant discharges do not apply.
