Links
Links
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National Links
Impress your colleagues with pertinent little snippets!!!! This is a quick and easy way to stay on top of Australian (and some international) Workers Compensation, Occupational Health and Safety, Human Resources & Industrial Relations Issues. The CCH News Service has access to the latest media releases from WorkCover Authorities around the country, as well as recent legislation changes and legal case judgements. The email pops up at about 5:30pm each day. It's a free service.
Comparison of Workers' Compensation Arrangements in Australia & New Zealand
A rich source of statistical information and research on Australian and NZ Workers Compensation and Return to Work outcomes. Provides quick Scheme Comparison between States.
Australian Workers Compensation Regulators
International Links
Return to Work Knowledge Base (INTERNATIONAL)
This Australian-created site makes it oh-so-easy to keep up with international best practices regarding return-to-work following injury or illness. A LOT of time and effort has gone into finding, reading and summarising a myriad of clinical research and relevant papers. You can just scan key findings or dig right down deep into the articles and references themselves. Juicy!
Work Fitness and Disability Roundtable (INTERNATIONAL)
Want some clues on how to deal with a tough injury management issue? This is a great site to post a case that is driving you nuts and receive a wonderful mix of opinions and suggestions from your professional injury management colleages around the world. Or just 'lurk'....the queries from other forum members provide a great source of vicarious learning!
The Rehabilitation Provider's Guide to Cultures of the Foreign-Born (USA)
How relevant for our multi-cultural society! And this is not just for Rehab Providers! Employers and all stakeholders in disability management will find fabulous summaries of cultural beliefs and expectations regarding disability. Cultures covered include: China, India, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and more!
REHADAT (GERMANY)
This dynamic site is based in Germany but has many international contributors. It has been growing over the years to become an excellent repository of information from both research and real-life case studies in rehabilitation. The Case Studies in particular may be useful for employers or rehab providers to peruse as a source of information (and support?).
Disability Management Employers Coalition - DMEC (USA)
This group has risen to international prominence in the 15 years since it's inception! Their focus is on practical, tried-and-true strategies for managing absence in the workplace. This group predominantly consists of employers, many very large National and International organisations, who share a wealth of knowledge and peer-to-peer advice. DMEC's latest target is developing strategies for managing incidental absence in the workplace. (Also known as Unscheduled Absence). We all need time out - but if employers and workers can coordinate to accomodate time out, it's likely to be far more productive for everyone!
Workers Compensation Health Initiative (USA)
The Workers Compensation Health Initiative demonstrates that 'friction' between employers and medical practitioners can be reduced, to great effect! The Initiative's website is a solid source of research on improving workers compensation outcomes, especially focusing on collaborative communication between employers and practitioners. Even better, you can access some of the actual tools (documents) that helped achieve success in these innovative projects.
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EUROPE)
What a treasure trove of information! This site has great practical advice, backed up by thoughtful research from sources across Europe! It's great to be able to easily access information from Europe, which has a slightly different twist on approaches to workers compensation as compared to the Australian, US and Canadian systems! (ie: stronger prevention focus than compensation focus). Particularly check out the 'Publications' section - the Magazine on 'Working on Stress' is one of the best compilations around on this stressful issue !!!!
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (FINLAND)
Well, the Finns have been busy! Another treasure-trove of tid-bits, research, practical info from ALL over the world. This is a favourite site!
Berufsgenossenschaftliches Institut fur Arbeitsschutz - BGIA (GERMANY)
This Institute has just announced it's new name: BGIA (phew!). This group has long been known for indepth research particularly in safety issues. Their research on stress factors is also very relevant. Have a snoop through their research projects!
Workers Compensation Research Institute - WCRI (USA)
Workers-Compensation-Info-Junkies' heaven. The WCRI is THE place to start when looking for research on workers compensation issues - from medical costs, RTW strategies, vocational rehabilitation and other issues impacting on claims.
National Council on Compensation Insurance - NCCI (USA)
Another info-junky favourite. This site provides a high level overview of many issues affecting the workers compensation industry. The annual Issues Reports contain a wealth of trend information. Things to make you go 'hmmm.....'.
Integrated Benefits Institute - IBI (USA)
The IBI is the definitive research organisation for the broader area of Integrated Disability Management (IDM). Employers, in the US in particular, are starting to address disability management, regardless of whether disability is work-related or not, in an effort to optimise productivity, culture and morale. The concept is slowly taking off in Australia. This site provides good clues on how things might work...
W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research (USA)
The Upjohn Institute has a number of fingers in some very interesting pies!!! They have conducted a number of comprehensive Workers Compensation Scheme Reviews from several countries - including one for 'our' Victoria. Their research on effective RTW strategies is also interesting. Check out the 'Disability & Workers Compensation' Section (and, if you're like us...you'll probably not be able to resist the other research areas listed on the site!).
Clinical Guidelines
National Health and Medical Research Council - NHMRC
This is a rich source of Australian evidence-based clinical guidelines
Medical Standards
In September 2003, new medical standards were released for drivers of private and commercial vehicles in Australia. The standards are contained in the document Assessing Fitness to Drive 2003, which replaces the previous private vehicle driver standards (Assessing Fitness to Drive 2001) and the commercial vehicle driver standards (Medical Examinations for Commercial Vehicle Drivers 1997).