Occupational rehabilitation in the construction industry of Victoria

Abstract

A survey of construction companies' secondary disability management practices was undertaken in the state of Victoria, Australia. The results indicate that formal rehabilitation and return‐to‐work programmes and practices are not adopted in many companies. Smaller construction firms were less likely to have adopted formal programmes or practices than medium‐to‐large firms. In particular, construction companies reported difficulties in the provision of suitable alternate or light duties for workers returning to work following an injury. Most companies regarded disability management practices to have increased operating costs while yielding little or no benefit in terms of reducing lost workdays. Strategies to overcome some of these impediments to rehabilitation and return‐to‐work in construction are recommended.

Keywords:

• Disability management
• web‐based survey
• rehabilitation
• return‐to‐work
• construction
• suitable duties
• injury management
• workers' compensation

Notes

Author for correspondence. E‐mail: [email protected]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Helen Lingard

Author for correspondence. E‐mail: [email protected]