Workers' Comp

Ergonomics is the science of matching the correct tools and tasks to the work environment; in other words, fitting the workplace to the employee. No matter what the job is, the goal is to make sure employees are safe, comfortable and less prone to work related injuries.

The campus has established an Ergonomic Program to assure employees have an ergonomically safe workstation. If applicable, funding is available to help share some of the cost of purchasing recommended ergonomic workstation equipment after the deductible has been met.

Supervisors are responsible for:

• addressing employees' ergonomic needs and request for assistance
• ensuring employees receive equipment as recommended following a workstation evaluation

Employees are responsible for:

• reporting ergonomic issues
• following recommendations provided during and as a result of a workstation evaluation

Please review the Resources provided for additional information. If you have questions or would like to schedule a workstation evaluation, please contact Julie Irwin, Workers Compensation Manager with the Department of Human Resources at 278.2125, or via email at julie@csufresno.edu.

• Medical Care: Physician visits, hospital care, physical therapy, lab and medicines that are reasonably necessary to treat your injury.
  • There may be some limitations on some medical services such as physical therapy and chiropractic care as described in the Labor Code.
• Temporary Disability Benefits: You may be eligible to receive Industrial Disability Leave (IDL), or Temporary Total Disability Benefits if your injury or illness prevents you from working.
• Permanent Disability Benefits: If an injury or illness causes a permanent disability you may be entitled to these benefits. The type of injury, age and occupation effect the amount of benefits you may receive.
• Supplemental Job Displacement: This benefit is a non-transferable voucher payable to a state-approved school if all of the following apply:
  • The on-the- job occurred on or after 1/1/04
  • You sustain a permanent disability
  • You do not return to work within 60 days from the date temporary disability ends
  • - and -
  • The employer does not offer modified or alternate work.
• Death Benefits: Paid to dependents of a worker who dies from a work-related injury or illness.

The following procedures must be followed by the supervisor when a work-related illness or injury has occurred in the work place.

1. Arrange for appropriate medical treatment for the employee.

• Emergency Medical: Dial 911 from a campus phone, and request an ambulance to transport the employee to St. Agnes Hospital.
  • Immediately contact Risk Management at 278-7422 (or Campus Police Department after hours) to report the injury.
  • NOTE: Cal-OSHA requires notification within 8 hours of hospital admissions and serious injuries. Once you have contacted Risk Management, Risk Management will contact OSHA on your behalf. Fines associated with NOT reporting the injury as required will be the responsibility of the employee's department.
• First Aid: Refer the employee to the University Student Health Center.
  • Examples of First Aid injuries include: minor cuts, scrapes, sprains and bruises.
• Medical Treatment beyond First Aid: Contact the Workers' Compensation Manager, Julie Irwin at 278-2125 to obtain authorization to send the employee to the Occupational Health Center at St. Agnes.

2. Contact Julie Irwin, Workers' Compensation Manager, 278-2125 to report the injury, and provide updates regarding the employee's work status.

• Report the injury as soon as possible.

  • Serious injuries and illnesses must be reported to Cal-OSHA within 8-hours, regardless of the day or time the Supervisor was notified. After hours, contact Campus Police to report the injury.

• Keep the Workers' Compensation Manager informed of all updates to the employee's work status, including: off duty status, releases to light and full duty work.
  • Provide the Workers' Compensation Manager with copies of all reports and notes from the treating physician(s).

3. Complete the Supervisor Report Form

• Fax a copy to Julie Irwin at 278-2125 as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours from the date the injury is reported to the Supervisor. Julie will send the employee the DWC1 form after the injury is reported by the Supervisor.
• Provide a copy to the employee, with instructions to take it to the University Student Health Center when seeking first aid treatment.

Workers' Compensation Posters are available for Supervisors and Managers to Post in the Workplace.

• This information is required by the Labor Code to be posted in a location accessible to employees.
• A copy of the poster is displayed in the glass display cases outside the campus Office of Human Resources, Joyal Building, Room 211.
• The annual OSHA 300A is displayed there from Feb 1 through April 30 as required by law.

These are the medical facilities that must be used if there is a work-related injury or illness.

• First Aid
  University Student Health Center
  (559) 278-2734
  Hours of Operation: 8:00 am - 4:45 pm. M-F, limited services 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm.

• Advanced Care
  Saint Agnes Occupational Health
  7202 N. Millbrook Suite 108
  Fresno, CA 93720
  (559) 450-7777
  Hours of Operation: 7:30am - 4:30pm M-F.

   Saint Agnes Occupational Health - Northwest
   4770 W. Herndon Suite 110
   Fresno, CA 93722
   (559) 450-6340
   Hours of Operation: 7:30am - 4:30pm M-F.

• Emergency Care & After Hours Care
  St. Agnes Medical Center
  1303 East Herndon Avenue Fresno
  (559) 450-3205
  Hours of operation: 24 hours daily

Note: The above medical facilities MUST be used unless the employee has a pre-designated physician form on file to allow the use of the employee's own primary physician. See the "Can I see my own physician?" section on this web site for details.

Can I See My Personal Physician if I am injured on the job?

You have the right to be treated by a "personal physician" * if the physician is designated prior to the injury or illness. In the event you sustain an injury or illness related to your employment, you may be treated for such injury or illness by your personal medical doctor (M.D.) or a doctor of osteopathic (D.O.) if all of the following apply:

• Your employer offers group health coverage.
• The doctor is your regular physician* who:
  • Shall be either a physician who has limited his or her practice of medicine to general practice or who is a board-certified or board-eligible internist, pediatrician, obstetrician-gynecologist, or family practitioner;
  • Has previously directed your medical treatment;
  • Retains your medical records.
• Prior to the injury your doctor agrees to treat you for work injuries or illnesses
• Prior to the injury you provided your employer the following in writing:
  • Notice that you want your personal doctor to treat you for a work-related injury or illness
  • Your personal doctor's name, business address, and signature

Please complete the Predesignated Physicians form. The form must be returned to Julie Irwin, Workers' Compensation Manager, at Mail Stop JA41.

*NOTE: If you would like to see your own Chiropractor, you must contact Julie Irwin at 278-2125 for additional instructions.

Who can I contact for further information regarding Workers' Compensation?

If you have any questions concerning Workers' Compensation benefits or forms, please contact the on-campus Workers' Compensation Manager, Julie Irwin at 559.278.2125, or the Human Resources at 559.278.2032.

Other contacts:

• Sedgwick CMS (Third Party Administrator of the University's workers' compensation program)
  P.O. Box 14629
  Lexington KY 40512
  Ph: (866) 766-1115
• Information and Assistance Officer
  Division of Workers' Compensation
  State of California, Department of Industrial Relations
  Ph: (559) 445-5355
• State of California, Department of Industrial Relations