OT Safety Assessment for RTW

Our Workplace Safety Assessment is an onsite assessment used to support return to work, stay at work and workplace accommodation planning.

The assessment can be completed at any stage of the return-to-work process, either before or during a return-to-work program, or as part of a wellness or stay-at-work initiative. It may be particularly helpful when a worker is experiencing difficulty navigating the physical workplace because of a progressive or chronic health condition, where functional abilities may change over time.

Depending on the situation, the assessment may involve the worker, worker representative, supervisor, Health & Safety representative, Return-to-Work Coordinator and/or Claims Specialist.

The purpose is to identify physical or environmental barriers that may affect an employee’s ability to safely access, navigate and function within the workplace.

Where possible and practical, recommendations are provided to reduce or eliminate barriers that may interfere with a safe return to work or the employee’s ability to remain at work.

The assessment is completed by a qualified healthcare professional, a Registered Occupational Therapist (OT).

The Occupational Therapist attends the workplace and may:

• Interview the worker and supervisor to understand concerns and workplace requirements 
• Observe the employee navigating the physical work environment 
• Assess access to the workstation, washroom facilities, break areas and other relevant parts of the workplace 
• Identify physical or environmental barriers that may affect accessibility, mobility or workplace safety 
• Gather objective information about the employee’s ability to safely move through and use the workplace environment 
• Evaluate access to work tools, equipment and other areas required to perform the job 
• Provide a detailed report outlining the Occupational Therapist’s observations and recommendations 
• Include photographs of relevant workplace areas, where appropriate 
• Recommend practical modifications to improve workplace accessibility and safety, such as changes to washroom facilities, provision of assistive devices or removal of barriers affecting access to work areas, tools or equipment 
• Recommend workplace accommodations, where possible and practical 

A Workplace Safety Assessment can help employers identify practical changes that support an employee’s ability to return to work safely, remain at work and navigate the workplace as independently as possible.

Recommendations are based on the employee’s functional needs and the physical workplace environment and may be particularly valuable when functional abilities change over time.

When an assessment involves an individual employee, informed consent is required before participation and before assessment information is shared with the employer.