HomeMy WebLinkAboutR&R 103.04 REVISED 3-2014_On-duty InjuryEffective: 8/1/2002
Revised: 3/5/2014
Replaces: 103.01 C
103.04 — On -Duty Injury Leave
I. Guiding PhilosophX
Communication is important in all phases of the job. Even when off due to an
occupational injury, it is important to communicate regular status updates so that all affected
parties know and understand the limitations an individual may face and the time frame needed
for recovery.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to communicate the regulations and responsibilities related
to on -duty injuries and administration of worker's compensation.
III. Goals
The goals of this policy are to:
A. Reference on -duty injury reporting, investigation, and documentation regulations.
B. Reference City Policy Number 3.6 Worker's Compensation/Accident Reporting
for the administration of workers' compensation claims.
C. Provide on -duty injury leave communications and status update responsibilities.
IV. Definitions
A. Accident — Damage or injury that occurs because of a risk that is poorly
managed.
B. Damage — Cost of repairs + cost of medical treatment + cost of lost time.
C. Immediate Supervisor — Person who was directly responsible for supervising the
injured individual at the time the injury/accident occurred.
D. Investigable Iniuries — As defined by the TCFP, those resulting from:
1. The malfunction of personal protective equipment,
2. The failure of personal protective equipment to protect the fire fighter
from injury,
3. Injury sustained from failure to comply with any provision of TCFP-
mandated department standard operating guidelines.
E. Maior Iniuries – As defined by the TCFP, those injuries that require the fire
fighter to miss more than one duty period.
F. Minor Injuries – A defined by the TCFP, those injuries that DO NOT:
1. Result in the fire fighter missing more than one duty period,
2. Involve the failure of personal protective equipment.
G. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Specialized clothing or equipment
worn by an employee for protection against a hazard.
H. Preventable Injury – When an individual, group or supervisor(s):
1. Commits errors and/or fails to react reasonably to the errors of others.
2. Should have known about a potential hazard, but didn't.
3. Have some responsibility for either:
a. Causing,
b. Failing to prevent, and/or
c. Contributing to an injury occurrence.
I. Reportable Injury – An injury that requires first aid treatment, treatment by a
physician, causes noticeable discomfort and/or physical restrictions, or that may
result in lost time.
J. Serious Injury – may include, but is not limited to:
1. Death
2. Serious occupational disease (Texas GC Title 6, Chapter 607)
3. Major trauma (amputation, head trauma, broken bones, severe cuts)
4. Paralysis
5. Sudden loss of sight or hearing
6. Major back or j oint injury
V. On -Duty Injury Leave Responsibilities
A. On -duty injury reporting, investigation, documentation and review will follow
SOG 108.01A On -Duty Iniur;y Reporting & Review.
B. Workers' compensation administration will follow City Policy Number 3.6
Worker's Compensation/Accident Reporting.
C. When off on on -duty injury leave, the rli����rml l1��
u,itl is responsible for
communicating with:
�d (or as necessary) with the City Human Resources
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Department—Worker's Compensation/Safety Coordinator relative to
his/her medical treatment plan, required documentation and release to
return to work.
1ha,r n„1,j„li„i'„w, with his/her Section and/or Deputy Chief relative
to his/her injury status and potential return to work.
R&R 103.04 — On -Duty Injury Leave Page 2 of 3
D. The Section and/or Deputy Chief is responsible for sending status updates via
email to the Fire Chief (copy Fire Chief s secretary) when status updates are
received from injured individuals.
E. The City Human Resources Department—Worker's Compensation/Safety
Coordinator is also responsible for providing regular updates to Fire
Administration.
F. If an individual is off work due to illness or injury (on- or off-duty), and his/her
scheduled vacation time comes up, he/she may make a request via email to his/her
Deputy Chief to move his/her scheduled vacation to available shifts later in the
year.
1. They Deputy Chief will fill illness/injury-related requests to move
vacation on a first -come -first serve basis.
2. The Deputy Chief may approve a request as long as it does not exceed
the maximum per shift tares established for vacation leave (Refer to
R&R 103.OIE-Vacation for per shift targets).
3. If a request to move vacation cannot be approved, the Deputy Chief will
code the individual on vacation during his/her originally scheduled
vacation cvcld(
R&R 103.04 — On -Duty Injury Leave Page 3 of 3