Library: Policy
OKDHS:2-15-6.1. Risk and Safety Management Unit responsibilities
Issued 9-15-07
(a) Compensability.
- (1) The determination of whether an employee's claim is compensable under the Workers' Compensation (WC) Act [85 O.S. § 1 et seq.] is the responsibility of the Support Services Division (SSD) Risk and Safety Management Unit. The Risk and Safety Management Unit thoroughly investigates all claims for validity and for purposes of mitigating potential risks for other employees. Written reports describing the conduct and findings of the investigation are maintained in the Risk and Safety Management Unit claim file.
- (2) The Risk and Safety Management Unit serves as the point of contact between claims adjusters, medical claims managers, attorneys, and local administrator or county director. Any questions from the workplace regarding a claim are directed to the Risk and Safety Management Unit.
(b) Notice to employee. An employee on leave without pay (LWOP) due to a work‑related illness or injury who is medically unable to perform the essential job functions of his or her original position with or without reasonable accommodations, is notified by letter of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) procedure for returning to work in an alternate position.
(c) Testimony. An employee witness who is subpoenaed on behalf of OKDHS is subpoenaed at work and the county director or local administrator is responsible to make arrangements for the witness to appear. An employee testifying on behalf of OKDHS is considered on duty.
