One of the most effective ways to reduce injury downtime is through suitable duties. Instead of sending injured workers home, employers can often keep them safely at work with adjusted responsibilities. What Are Suitable Duties? Suitable duties are modified tasks that align with a worker’s current physical capacity during recovery. These duties: Examples of Suitable …
One of the most effective ways to reduce injury downtime is through suitable duties.
Instead of sending injured workers home, employers can often keep them safely at work with adjusted responsibilities.
What Are Suitable Duties?
Suitable duties are modified tasks that align with a worker’s current physical capacity during recovery.
These duties:
- Reduce strain on the injured area
- Allow continued productivity
- Support faster return to full capacity
Examples of Suitable Duties
Depending on the injury, suitable duties may include:
- Light administrative work
- Supervisory or observational roles
- Reduced lifting tasks
- Shorter shifts or adjusted hours
- Alternate tasks within the same role
Why Suitable Duties Matter
Implementing suitable duties can:
- Reduce lost time injuries
- Improve recovery outcomes
- Maintain workforce productivity
- Support compliance with workplace obligations
When Suitable Duties Are Appropriate
Suitable duties are most effective when:
- Symptoms are mild to moderate
- The worker retains functional capacity
- Risks can be managed safely
Challenges Employers Face
- Uncertainty about what is “safe”
- Lack of clear guidance
- Difficulty translating restrictions into real tasks
How we at HireHealth Help
We have a licensed Occupational Therapist assess and provide clear, practical guidance on:
- What the worker can safely do. We determine this over a live video call with the worker and your supervisor.
- How to structure suitable duties
- When escalation to GP care is needed
At HireHealth, we support employers in making safe, practical early decisions.
Learn more about our Early Injury Management services here: https://hirehealth.com.au/workplace-injury-management/
Need help managing a workplace injury right now?
Not sure what duties are appropriate? Contact us at 0429 430 183 for immediate guidance and reduce unnecessary downtime.
If you need to talk to a GP near you, please use the following: https://www.dhaswa.com.au/drs-for-drs-list-gps/?in_cat=5
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