Return to Work Program

The Return to Work Program is an initiative being undertaken by the University to assist Boston University staff to resume employment following a work-related injury or illness. The Return to Work Program is a cooperative venture involving the Offices of Human Resources, Risk Management, Occupational Health, and Environmental Health and Safety. Properly implemented, the Return to Work Program should serve also to reduce costs associated with the University's Workers' Compensation Program.

This effort has been undertaken because Boston University, while recognizing the importance of preventing work-related injuries and illnesses, also recognizes the importance of early diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of work-related injuries and illnesses. Commonly referred to as "modified work", "light duty", or "transitional duty", the Return to Work Program will provide injured employees with the opportunity to resume employment as soon as possible following a job-related injury or illness. In many cases, the resumption of work will require some form of job modification. The modifications are based on medical restrictions which are directly attributable to the injury or illness. Most job modifications will be temporary in nature and can be made within the employee's own department. Each job modification request will be handled on its own merits. Any accommodation made will be temporary and will be monitored periodically with the goal of assisting the employee to resume his or her regular assignment as soon as medically possible.

What To Do If Injury Occurs

• It is vitally important that the injured employee receives the necessary medical care immediately.
• If the injury is an emergency, call the Boston University Police at 353-2121. Call the Occupational Health Center at 353-6630 to report the injury and to report the hospital emergency room treating the injured employee.
• For injuries which occur during hours when the Occupational Health Center is closed, the injured employee should go to any area hospital or primary care physician.
• The employee must schedule an appointment at the Occupational Health Center within 24 hours if employee receives initial treatment outside the Occupational Health Center.
• If the injury is not an emergency, the injured employee must be evaluated at the Occupational Health Center for injuries which occur during the Center's normal hours of operation.
• Report the accident to the supervisor.
• Secure the accident scene.
• Accident should be analyzed by the supervisor.
• Contact the Control Desk at the Physical Plant and/or Environmental Health and Safety if a hazardous condition exists.
• Supervisor must complete an Accident Report and Analysis form within 24 hours of the accident.
• The employee should keep his/her supervisor informed of plans to return to work.

Return To Work Program
When possible, modified work assignments will be made available to employees as a positive means of rehabilitation following a disabling work injury. These temporary assignments will allow employees to maintain wage stability and provide the University he opportunities to maintain the workforce.

Procedure
The medical provider will complete the required information on the Boston University Injury/ Illness Treatment Form. At the time of the treatment, the medical provider will assign physical work restrictions in accordance with the injury and the treatment modalities. An initial prognosis will be offered that specifies the length of the disability or restrictions. Changes in functional abilities will be coordinated with work restrictions on an ongoing basis.

As soon as practicable, the injured employee's supervisor will evaluate the restrictions and seek to identify appropriate work within the injured employee's department. The Office of Risk Management, Office of Human Resources, and the Occupational Health Center will work with the department to identify job modifications or identify another position to meet the employee's limitations.

Review Process
The duration of transitional duty is contingent upon periodic medical examinations. The employee should always work closely with the department supervisor or manager, the Office of Human Resources ,the Office of Risk Management, and the Occupational Health Center.

University Addresses & Telephone Numbers
Occupational Health Center
930 Commonwealth Avenue (entrance on Pleasant Street)
Phone: 617/353-6630
Fax: 617/353-6848

Office of Risk Management
985 Commonwealth Avenue
Phone: 617/353-3020
Fax: 617/353-8028

Office of Human Resources
25 Buick Street
Phone: 617/353-2380
Fax: 617/353-0088

Office of Environmental Health & Safety
704 Commonwealth Avenue, 2nd Floor
Phone: 617/353-4094
Fax: 617/353-5646

Office of Disability Services
19 Deerfield Street
Phone: 617/353-3658
Fax: 617/353-5891

Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
270 Bay State Road
Phone: 617/353-5381
Fax: 617/353-7970

Boston University Police
32 Harry Agganis Way
Phone: 617/353-2121

Where To Go For Treatment

Non-emergency

Occupational Health Center
930 Commonwealth Avenue (entrance on Pleasant Street)
Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617/353-6630
Fax: 617/353-6848
Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m., M-F

Emergency

In case of emergency or if the accident occurs when the center is closed, or if in doubt, go to the nearest hospital emergency room or call Boston University Police at 617/353-2121.

Area Hospitals
Boston Medical Center
One Boston Medical Place
Boston, MA 02118
Phone: 617/638-6420

Beth Israel Hospital
330 Brookline Avenue
Boston, MA
Phone: 617/667-3337

Brigham & Women's Hospital
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA
Phone: 617/732-5636

St. Elizabeth Hospital
736 Cambridge Street
Brighton, MA
Phone: 617/789-2666

For all work-related injuries or illnesses not seen initially at the Occupational Health Center, call the Occupational Health Center Call-In Line within 24 hours at 617/353-6630.