Quick referral to occupational health services after an accident supports the return to work

In occupational health, the frequency of accidents is proactively minimized with the workplace survey that also pays attention to first aid preparedness.

“It all starts with a workplace visit that comprehensively maps out the risks of the working environment. Especially in physical working environments, an occupational physical therapist as an occupational health professional can take on the main role in the workplace survey in order to optimally analyze accident-prone tasks and work phases that cause aches and pains,” says Anita Riipinen, Chief Occupational Health Physician at Terveystalo.

First aid preparedness and the required number of people who know how to administer first aid are also evaluated during the visit.

“There are different types of working environments, and the workplace survey assesses how first aid is organized based on the nature and circumstances of the work. Typically, first aid training is agreed upon in connection with the survey, so that there are enough staff with first aid skills on site in each shift. Even though the goal is that the skills never need to be used, they are regularly practiced in the trainings so that the activities can run routinely when needed,” Riipinen says.

Accidents in remote work

As hybrid work has become more common, the personnel should be informed that the occupational accident protection is less extensive in remote work than in in-office work. An employee can only receive compensation for an accident that has occurred in remote work if the accident occurs during work or in activities directly related to work.

“In remote work, many things that would have been covered in the event of an accident at the workplace are excluded from accident protection. For example, slipping in remote work is not usually considered to be an occupational accident, unlike slipping on the way to work or at the workplace.”

Pains and aches resulting from movement at work that have occurred over a long period of time but are acutely symptomatic are also not considered accidents.

“If the working position has been unbalanced and straining or getting up causes acute back pain, for example, it is considered pain resulting from movement at work. In this case, a direct appointment with a physical therapist is the best way to find help,” says Riipinen.

Restoring working capacity with the right care

In the event of an accident, it is important to seek the right kind of treatment quickly. Terveystalo's Emergency Services operate in the largest cities and are open from morning to night. There are always professionals experienced in treating injuries who can also provide plaster casts or splints, if necessary.

“If the injury does not require immediate treatment, you can book an appointment with a specialist for the next day to have the injury examined and the patient referred to the correct care pathway. At Terveystalo, general practitioners and occupational health physicians can also consult specialists in the event of an accident, as a result of which our clinic network is able to extensively treat injuries caused by accidents,” says Riipinen.

The rehabilitation of the injury continues in physical therapy, ensuring the best possible recovery. In initial calculations made in The TYÖOTE project of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, referring a patient who has suffered an accident to occupational health services after acute treatment reduces absences and speeds up the return to work. When the treatment of the injury starts at Terveystalo, information flows seamlessly to occupational health.

“The ability to work is monitored in occupational health services where the professional assess in more detail the possibilities for lightened/replacement work. If the absence is prolonged, a work ability negotiation is held and, if necessary, other support means for returning to work are also considered together with the work ability coach.”

Keep your insurance information up-to-date

Terveystalo delivers the information of the accident to the insurance company for the settlement of claims. We recommend checking the organization’s insurance information from time to time to ensure that claims handling can be carried out promptly in the event of an accident. You can check your organization's accident insurance information in Terveystalo's Suunta service under “Occupational health cooperation, Contact information”. If you have changed insurance companies or your insurance number has changed, please inform your occupational health team.