• report the injury to your insurer within 48 hours
• review what happened and decide how to prevent another injury, in consultation with the worker/s
• make early contact with the worker, insurer and nominated treating doctor (NTD) to discuss return to work
• offer suitable duties so the worker can return to work and stay active during their recovery
• work cooperatively with the insurer, worker, NTD and others to solve problems
• encourage and support the worker in their efforts to return to work and remain active.
  

Most workers return to work within four weeks after a manual handling injury, although this does not occur in all cases. You should ask the insurer when they expect an individual worker to return to work. If return to work is not progressing as expected, talk to your insurer without delay as they may be able to assist with arranging rehabilitation.

Evidence shows that barriers to an injured worker returning to normal duties must be identified and addressed as early as possible. The earlier an injured worker gets back to work the better, as extended rest and inactivity can increase the risk of disability.