nearZERO

  Physical InjuryPhysical Injury

PreventionPrevention

A system for targeting A system for targeting

workplace physical injury workplace physical injury

  Workplace injuries are at least aWorkplace injuries are at least a

50 Billion dollar50 Billion dollar

annual problem in Australiaannual problem in Australia

Work Safe Australia

nearZERO - Injury Prevention and Injury Management

processes build a custom management system that

lowers the risk of physical injury in a work place.

The overall cost to the Employer and any Insurer is

tightly managed and contained.

The main aim of the nearZERO approach is simply to enable

workers to sustain their employment tasks at maximum physical

efficiency.

If an injury does occur or develop, then a comprehensive

management system is already in place.

nearZERO’s processes produce a system that:processes produce a system that:

o Incorporates existing health, safety and wellbeing programs

o Focuses directly on individual worker’s functional capacity

o Matches ability to the inherent requirements of tasks

In a successful nearZERO system three key roles are well defined,

and well performed!

Roles to be played:Roles to be played:

The nearZERO Workplace Manager

The nearZERO Project Consultant

The nearZERO Technical Advisor

In aIn a nearZERO system all Jobs:system all Jobs:

1. Have been assessed for risks to a worker’s body

(Physical Demand Assessment – PDA)

2. A Physical Capacity Assessment (PCA) is designed

3. Physical demand is matched to individual functional capacity

Workers will have:Workers will have:

o A unique Risk Profile describing their physical capacity

o Capacity Points assigned according to their test results

o Personal targets to improve their physical profile

Using the nearZERO points system workers are assigned

an overall Physical Capacity Rating Physical Capacity Rating for their job:

o Capacity Exceeds Requirement - CER

o Capacity Meets Requirement - CMR

o Capacity Development Required - CDR

o Capacity Intervention Required - CIR

o Capacity But Conditional - CBC

For Effective Management:For Effective Management:

o The employer’s information system stores the results

o The personal Capacity Rating is discussed with workers

o Workers get targeted assistance to improve their rating*

* Data exists for management reporting of company and individual risk/capacity levels

Targeted Interventions:Targeted Interventions:  Three types of capacity improving interventions are delivered:

o Global: identified needs for a whole section of workers

o Sub Group: small groups of workers with common needs

o Individual: the needs are specifically known and unique

Injury Management:Injury Management:

 

Minor injury recovery can often be effectively guided by the

nearZERO Technical Advisor and local medical expertise.

Major injury recovery may require external rehabilitation

expertise in a coordinated return to work plan.

External Rehabilitation:External Rehabilitation:

The nearZERO Project Consultant has access to an Expert

Rehabilitation Panel drawn from number of disciplines.

The Project Consultant may assist the nearZERO Workplace

Manager to ensure progress in rehabilitation delivery.

Maintaining the System:Maintaining the System: 

Once the system is in place the system’s integrity must be

maintained.

Management processes are by this time automatically in

place.

Management Processes:Management Processes: 

Four distinct management actions have been installed.

1. Full documentation is in place

2. Policy and Procedure is recognised

3. Register of Action is maintained

4. Regular review processes proceed*

* National and International Standards referenced where applicable

OutcomesOutcomes

Who are the winners in this process?Who are the winners in this process?

The Employer:The Employer:

Has opportunity for Has opportunity for

Minimising Physical InjuryMinimising Physical Injury

Building Productive Capacity of their WorkforceBuilding Productive Capacity of their Workforce

And savesAnd saves

o Down time Retraining time Recruitment time

o Management time Premiums (if the system allows)

The workerThe worker - Their livelihoods and health are more protected as

they know their body’s strengths and limitations. They know how

to improve their physical health and how to safely perform their

specific work tasks with optimum physical efficiency.

Any unionAny union - The duty of care of their members increases. The

facts, and not just conjecture, are “on the table” at any time.

Any InsurerAny Insurer - has very accurate information, including the

nearZERO risk/capacity points system and PDAs, giving more

information for all aspects of insuring and claims

management.

Any Medical ProviderAny Medical Provider - has their job made easier as they have

access to a worker’s Capacity Profile and workplace PDA

In Summary:In Summary:

The Employer has Taken Control to produce cost effective and

active management of workers physical performance.

Bottom Line:Bottom Line:

Productivity and Profitability ImprovedProductivity and Profitability Improved

Cost BenefitCost Benefit**

typically 6 to 10 times initial outlaytypically 6 to 10 times initial outlay

*Dependent on level of internal expertise nearZERO builds on existing internal capacity