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SECTION A1: REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
FOR WORK-RELATED INJURIES AND ILLNESSES
Introduction
All work-related injuries or illnesses must be properly reported in
order to provide for prompt medical evaluation and treatment, to qualify
for payment of medical expenses and wage replacement benefits, and to
comply with state and federal regulations.
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Scope and Application
An injury or illness is classified as work-related only if it arises
out of and in the course of employment at Princeton University. Specific
reporting requirements are mandated under the New Jersey Workers Compensation
Law and the federal Occupational Safety
and Health Act, some of which are described below. Questions
about whether an injury or illness is work-related or reportable
should be
directed to the Office
of Risk Management (258-3349 or 258-1192).
Individuals that do not have work-related injuries or illnesses but
need special accommodation in their workplace may fall under the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA). For further information call the Office of Disability Services (258-8840). While accidents involving outside contractors or other
visitors to campus do not fall within the scope of this section, serious
injuries to these individuals should be reported as soon as practicable
to the Office of Risk Management (258-3349).
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Program Description
Medical Evaluation and Treatment
For all emergencies call Public
Safety at 911. For post emergency care and all non-emergencies,
individuals with work-related injuries and illnesses should be
referred
to the Office
of Employee Health (258-5035)
in University Health Services at McCosh Health Center for evaluation,
consultation, treatment, and/or
referral to approved physicians outside the University. Time out
of the workplace for a work-related injury or illness must be authorized
by Employee Health. Employee Health also provides the
required return-to-work clearance for individuals who have been
away from work
for more than 8 days due to any injury or illness. For injuries that
result from accidental contact with hazardous or toxic substances,
contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) at
258-5294 in addition to contacting Employee Health.
Reporting/Notification
The Employer’s First Report of Accident, Injury, or Occupational
Illness form must be provided to the Office of Risk Management
as soon as possible, but no later than seven days after an employee's
injury or illness. This form is completed electronically when employees
visit Employee Health. In addition to fulfilling state
and federal reporting requirements, this form must be completed
to file a claim
under Workers Compensation.
Except for emergencies, employees must report all injuries to their
supervisors as soon as possible but, in all cases, prior to leaving
the workplace on the day of the injury. If an individual calls
from home to report a work-related injury or illness, their supervisor
should advise them to contact the Office of Employee Health (258-5035).
If the supervisor is uncomfortable or uncertain about the circumstances
surrounding the injury or illness, he or she should also contact
Employee
Health explaining such concerns.
If an individual is absent from the workplace for 8 days or more
due to a work-related injury or illness, the supervisor must send
the employee a Medical Disability Application packet, available
through the Office of
Human Resources.
Workers Compensation Insurance
The self-insured Workers Compensation program, administered by the
Office of Risk Management and complying with the New Jersey Workers
Compensation Law, covers all medical costs for work-related injuries
and illnesses that are defined as "reasonable and necessary" by
the Office of Employee Health. Individuals
must receive medical care from physicians pre-approved by Employee
Health.
Failure to follow these procedures may result in denial of payment
for medical services. Workers Compensation also pays
part of the wages lost if the injury or illness requires an absence
from
the workplace of 8 or more days. In addition, rehabilitation services
or other similar care may be authorized. PMA Management Corporation
acts on behalf of Princeton University as our claims administrator.
OSHA Record keeping and Reporting Requirements
The University is required by the federal Bureau
of Labor Statistics and OSHA to maintain a log of work-related
injuries and illnesses. Information collected on the Employer’s
First Report of Accident, Injury, or Occupational Illness form
described above is used by EHS to complete the OSHA log.
OSHA has stringent reporting requirements when a work-related accident
results in the hospitalization of 3 or more individuals or a fatality.
These types of accidents must be reported immediately to EHS (258-5294).
Failure to report these accidents to OSHA within 8 hours may result
in substantial OSHA penalties.
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Roles and Responsibilities
Department
- Require prompt reporting by workers of all work-related injuries
and illnesses.
Supervisors
- Contact Public Safety (911) when emergency medical attention is
necessary.
- Contact EHS (258-5294) immediately when a work-related accident
results in death or hospitalization of 3 or more individuals.
- Contact Employee Health (258-5035) and make an appointment for
individuals with less serious work-related injuries and illnesses,
or for post-emergency care.
- Contact EHS (258-5294) for injuries that result from accidental
contact from hazardous or toxic substances.
Office of Employee Health
- Provide evaluation, treatment, and appropriate referral and review
for all work-related injuries and illnesses.
- Provide return-to-work clearance
- Review status of work restrictions
Risk Management
- Manage the Workers Compensation Program.
EHS
- Maintain the OSHA log for occupational injuries and illnesses.
- Report multiple hospitalizations and fatalities to OSHA.
Individual
- Report all work-related injuries and illnesses promptly to the
supervisor.
- Seek medical assistance through Employee Health in University Health
Services at McCosh Health Center.
- Follow instructions for restricted work activities to prevent further
injury.
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For More Information
Contact Risk Management (258-3349 or 258-1192) for additional information
about the New Jersey Workers Compensation Law.
Contact Employee Health (258-5035) for additional information about
medical treatment and return-to-work clearance or work restrictions.
Contact Environmental Health and Safety (258-5294) for additional information
about OSHA reporting requirements.
Refer to Human Resources Policy and Procedure Manual, Policy
3.21 Workers Compensation, for Employment/Status Authorization reporting
requirements.
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