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← Back to Document LibraryWorkplace Rehabilitation and Return to Work Policy
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Purpose
This policy establishes Westlink Logistics’ commitment to supporting workers who sustain a work-related injury or illness through early intervention, rehabilitation, and safe return to meaningful work. It provides the framework for injury management and return to work in accordance with the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 (WA).
Scope
This policy applies to all Westlink Logistics workers who sustain a work-related injury or illness, and to managers, supervisors, and other personnel involved in injury management and return to work. It covers injuries and illnesses arising out of or in the course of employment, including physical injuries, musculoskeletal conditions, psychological injuries, and occupational diseases.
Organisational Context
Westlink Logistics operates heavy haulage, project logistics, and maritime services across Australia, primarily supporting defence, government, resources, and infrastructure sectors. Workers operate in physically demanding environments including remote sites, vessel operations, and heavy vehicle transport where musculoskeletal and fatigue-related injuries are the most common injury types.
The organisation holds Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) membership and is subject to JOSCAR pre-qualification, both of which require demonstrated workforce management standards. Injury management obligations are integrated into the Westlink Management System (WMS) and managed alongside WHS risks under ISO 45001.
Policy Commitments
Westlink Logistics is committed to:
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Establishing and maintaining an injury management system and return to work program that meets the requirements of the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 (WA) Part 3.
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Initiating early contact with injured workers within 24 hours of notification and commencing return to work planning as soon as practicable, in consultation with the worker, their treating medical practitioner, and the workers’ compensation insurer.
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Developing individualised return to work plans that identify suitable duties, workplace modifications, and graduated hours based on the worker’s medical capacity and the nature of their pre-injury role.
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During the 12-month employment obligation period following a work-related injury, providing the injured worker’s pre-injury position or, if that is not practicable or the worker lacks capacity, a suitable alternative position of comparable status and pay (Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 (WA) s.166). Ensuring no worker is dismissed in contravention of s.168 dismissal protections during this period.
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Where Westlink engages labour hire workers, cooperating as the host employer with the labour hirer to facilitate the injured worker’s return to work, including identifying suitable duties at the host site and sharing relevant fitness-for-duty and workplace-modification information (Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 (WA) s.167).
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Maintaining accurate, confidential injury management records and using return to work data to identify trends, inform hazard controls, and drive continual improvement in injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility | When |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | Accountable for this policy. Ensures adequate resources are allocated to support injury management and return to work activities. | Ongoing; annual management review |
| Return to Work Coordinator | Coordinates the injury management process. Develops and monitors return to work plans. Liaises with treating practitioners, the insurer, and management. Arranges return to work case conferences per s.165. | On injury notification; throughout RTW |
| QHSE Manager | Integrates return to work data into the WMS risk framework. Analyses injury trends to inform hazard controls. Supports the Return to Work Coordinator. | Ongoing; quarterly risk review |
| Managers and Supervisors | Report injuries promptly. Identify and provide suitable duties within their work area. Support injured workers in their return to work. Maintain a supportive, non-discriminatory environment. | On injury; during RTW |
| Workers | Report injuries promptly. Participate actively in their return to work plan per s.163. Attend medical appointments. Provide medical certificates and communicate any concerns to the coordinator. | On injury; during RTW |
Review
This policy is reviewed annually as part of the management review cycle, or earlier where significant changes occur to workers’ compensation legislation, the organisation’s claims experience, or the scope of operations. This policy is communicated to all workers during induction and is available to interested parties on request.
Applicable Standards and Legislation
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Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 (WA)
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Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA)
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ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems — Requirements
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ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems — Requirements
Related Documents
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GOV-POL-002 Work Health and Safety Policy
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GOV-POL-003 Drug and Alcohol Policy
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GOV-POL-005 Fitness for Work Policy
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QHSE-MAN-001 Westlink Management System Manual
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QHSE-PRO-001 Hazard and Incident Reporting and Investigation Procedure
Compliance coverage — cited by 16 requirements across 4 frameworks
Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) General Protections + Part 3-5A Sexual Harassment + Part 6-2 Disputes + Part 6-4B Bullying + WHS Act 2020 (WA) Part 6 Discriminatory Conduct(1)
| Requirement | Clause | Coverage | Severity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FW-352-01 | FW Act s.352 | Partial | Low | §Policy CommitmentsWorkplace Rehabilitation and RTW Policy commits to maintaining employment during temporary incapacity — operationalises s.352 read together with WCIM Act 2023 (WA) s.166 (12-month employment obligation). GOV-POL-011 is not the primary anchor. |
ISO 45001:2018(10)
| Requirement | Clause | Coverage | Severity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO45001-2018-4.1-01 | 4.1 | Full | §Organisational ContextIdentifies Westlink's operational environment (heavy haulage, remote sites, vessel operations) where musculoskeletal and fatigue-related injuries are most common — context for the injury management framework. | |
| ISO45001-2018-4.2-01 | 4.2 | Full | §Organisational ContextDISP membership and JOSCAR pre-qualification — interested-party expectations on workforce-management standards reflected in the injury management framework. | |
| ISO45001-2018-5.1-01 | 5.1 | Partial | §ResponsibilitiesCEO accountable for this policy; ensures adequate resources are allocated to support injury management and return-to-work activities — direct expression of cl.5.1 leadership and commitment. | |
| ISO45001-2018-5.2-01 | 5.2 | Full | §PurposeInjury management commitment is the post-injury expression of the broader OH&S policy commitment (cl.5.2(a) framework, (c) commitment to fulfilling legal requirements, (d) elimination of hazards as it applies to work-related injury recurrence). | |
| ISO45001-2018-5.2-02 | 5.2 | Full | §ReviewPolicy §Review states the policy is communicated to all workers during induction and is available to interested parties on request — direct operationalisation of cl.5.2(e/f) availability requirement. | |
| ISO45001-2018-5.3-01 | 5.3 | Full | §ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities table assigns and communicates injury management roles: CEO, RTW Coordinator, QHSE Manager, Managers and Supervisors, Workers — five-row matrix with responsibility and timing columns. | |
| ISO45001-2018-6.1.1-01 | 6.1.1 | Full | §ResponsibilitiesQHSE Manager row commits to integrating return-to-work data into the WMS risk framework and analysing injury trends to inform hazard controls — addresses cl.6.1.1 actions to address risks and opportunities. | |
| ISO45001-2018-7.5.3-01 | 7.5.3 | Full | §Policy CommitmentsPolicy Commitment 6 — maintaining accurate, confidential injury management records. Records are documented information (cl.7.5) subject to confidentiality controls; using return-to-work data informs hazard controls (cl.7.5.3 control of documented information). | |
| ISO45001-2018-9.3-01 | 9.3 | Full | §ReviewPolicy §Review states annual review as part of the management review cycle; CEO Responsibilities row reinforces annual management review accountability — direct input to cl.9.3 management review. | |
| ISO45001-2018-10.3-01 | 10.3 | Full | §Policy CommitmentsPolicy Commitment 6 — using return-to-work data to identify trends, inform hazard controls, and drive continual improvement in injury prevention and rehabilitation. |
Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA)(1)
| Requirement | Clause | Coverage | Severity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHS-WA-19-01 | WHS Act 2020 (WA) s.19 | Full | §ScopeInjury management scope operationalises the WHS Act 2020 (WA) s.19 PCBU primary duty — Westlink's duty of care extends through the rehabilitation and return-to-work cycle. |
Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 (WA)(4)
| Requirement | Clause | Coverage | Severity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WCIM-RTW-01 | WCIM Act 2023 (WA) s.160 | Partial | High | §Policy CommitmentsPolicy establishes the s.160 RTW program: early contact within 24 hours (Commitment 2), individualised plans with suitable duties and graduated hours (Commitment 3), and worker consultation (s.160(2)). RTW Coordinator role coordinates the process including s.165 case conferences. |
| WCIM-RTW-02 | WCIM Act 2023 (WA) s.166 | Full | §Policy CommitmentsPolicy Commitment 4 articulates the s.166 12-month employment obligation period: pre-injury position restored or, if not practicable, a suitable alternative position of comparable status and pay; ensures no worker is dismissed in contravention of s.168 dismissal protections during this period. Managers row commits supervisors to identify and provide suitable duties. | |
| WCIM-RTW-03 | WCIM Act 2023 (WA) s.167 | Gap | Low | §Policy CommitmentsPolicy Commitment 5 commits Westlink, where engaging labour hire workers, to cooperate as the host employer with the labour hirer to facilitate the injured worker's return to work — identifying suitable duties at the host site and sharing fitness-for-duty and workplace-modification information (s.167). |
| WCIM-IMS-01 | WCIM Act 2023 (WA) Part 3 (section number needs verification — likely s.159 or adjacent) | Partial | Medium | §Policy CommitmentsPolicy commits to establishing and maintaining an injury management system and return-to-work program meeting Part 3 requirements (Commitment 1). Scope covers all workers with work-related injury or illness. |
Declared compliance references (16)
FW-352-01ISO45001-2018-10.3-01ISO45001-2018-4.1-01ISO45001-2018-4.2-01ISO45001-2018-5.1-01ISO45001-2018-5.2-01ISO45001-2018-5.2-02ISO45001-2018-5.3-01ISO45001-2018-6.1.1-01ISO45001-2018-7.5.3-01ISO45001-2018-9.3-01WHS-WA-19-01WCIM-IMS-01WCIM-RTW-01WCIM-RTW-02WCIM-RTW-03
Document Revision Summary
| Rev | Issued | Document Ref | Document Title | Author | Approved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24/05/2021 | WLK-GBL-GOV-POL-007 | Workplace Rehabilitation and Return to Work Policy | CEO (JDG) | CEO (JDG) |
| 2 | 09/03/2026 | GOV-POL-007 | Workplace Rehabilitation and Return to Work Policy | FTM (CF) | CEO (JDG) |
| 3 | 16/03/2026 | GOV-POL-007 | Workplace Rehabilitation and Return to Work Policy | FTM (CF) | CEO (JDG) |
Document Revision Details
| Rev | Purpose of revision and changes made |
|---|---|
| 3 | Updated legislative framework from Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 to the 2023 Act (commenced 1 July 2024) — all section references updated to new Act numbering.• Added Organisational Context section (ISO 45001:2018 cl.4.1) — grounds the policy in Westlink's operational environment, physical demands of heavy haulage and maritime work, and DISP/JOSCAR obligations.• Consolidated 10 policy commitments to 5 focused obligations — removed procedural detail (multi-disciplinary services, communication specifics) that belongs in the RTW procedure, not the policy.• Added specific Act section references in commitments — s.166 (position during incapacity) and s.168 (dismissal protection) are now explicit.• Responsibilities converted from paragraphs to 3-column table — aligns with §2.1 standard and makes role obligations auditable.• Added Return to Work Coordinator role with s.165 case conference responsibility.• Curated cross-references — replaced auto-discovered list with directly relevant documents (WHS policy, D&A, fitness for work, WMS manual, incident reporting). Removed QHSE-GDL-001, QHSE-POL-001, GOV-POL-017 as not directly relevant to rehabilitation.• Updated terminology: 'employee' to 'worker' throughout (WHS Act alignment).• Added requirements traceability matrix mapping policy elements to WC&IM Act 2023 sections, WHS Act, and ISO clauses. |