Real wins for real businesses

Nominated for a Worksafe Queensland Category 2 — Best individual contribution to work health and safety (Individual entry).

Michael created a custom training program specifically designed for young apprentices, to help integrate them into the mining and manufacturing industry.

The program covers training in risk assessment, PPE, isolation, energy sources, manual handling, safe work methods, identifying hazards, chemical handling, overhead and jib crane operations and an induction. The program is designed to protect and educate young people entering the workforce for the first time as apprentices.

A large manufacturing client of ours was struggling with their management of injured workers. With no one to assist with claims management and getting injured workers back to work, the LTI rate climbed and the TRIFR was poor. WorkCover premiums had increased and the results were becoming costly.

Taylor Made Training and Safety presented the benefits of having a designated Return-to-Work Representative and WorkCover Manager to take control of the spiralling claims.

Within 3 years of managing the business’s WorkCover claims and Return-to-Work rehabilitation, WorkCover premiums had reduced by over 30% to the industry standard.

The business’s LTI rate has remained at 0 for the last 2 years. The company is now saving nearly $30,000 per year on their WorkCover premium.

The cost of Taylor Made Training and Safety managing the WorkCover claims has been significantly less than the money saved.

A small maintenance business was having trouble managing a long-term injured worker. They called on our expertise to get the worker back to work and finalise the claim.

The worker was not very proactive and was not helpful in fulfilling their obligations. We contacted WorkCover on their behalf and got the claim moving, and made sure the worker understood the importance of returning to work to aid rehabilitation.

The worker was returned to full duties after we organised physiotherapy and light duties 2 months later. The initial prediction was that the worker would be completely incapacitated for a 6 month period whilst receiving full wages — claim costs would have been very high and would have impacted the WorkCover premium rate in future years.

A large business had been struggling with incidents involving overhead cranes and jibs due to employees not being properly trained in their use. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries or repercussions. This put the business at substantial risk of being fined or prosecuted if they experienced a serious incident.

Taylor Made created an in-house training, competency and authorisation program that meets legislation and provides sufficient training on lifting and shifting.

Since the training was implemented, incidents involving all lift-and-shift of items within the business have reduced to zero.

The training was over 80% cheaper than sending the workers to train with an RTO. It can only be used at the business, so employees can’t use it as a qualification with any other employer.

A client we work with had an employee get their hand caught in a V-pulley belt on a Saturday morning, causing extensive damage to his left hand. The worker was transported to hospital for immediate treatment including surgery. The outlook was bleak and he was in danger of losing the use of his hand. Going through the public health system meant delays and no continuation of care through the outpatient clinics.

Michael was the Return-to-Work coordinator for this worker and immediately liaised with WorkCover Queensland on future options and outcomes. With Michael’s medical expertise in treatment and rehabilitation, he convinced WorkCover Queensland to approve private hand specialist treatment, further surgery and a full rehabilitation program with a hand therapist — giving the worker the best chance of a good outcome.

After months of managing the claim and providing suitable duties and treatment plans, the injury started to improve. After 6 months of managed care the worker returned to full duties and continues to perform the role. Whilst the injury did not provide 100% healing, the process let the worker perform their full range of tasks.

A large manufacturing client had just received a visit from Worksafe Queensland, prompted by an ex-employee highlighting several safety concerns. Unfortunately, four Improvement Notices were issued that required immediate attention.

Taylor Made attended the premises and liaised with the Operations Manager to gauge what was required. A plan was put in place and implemented. We spoke with Worksafe Queensland to ensure that the remedies were acceptable and met the legislative requirements. We also secured an extension on 2 of the INs due to supply issues.

Problem solved. Worksafe satisfied.