Assignment 2
Due 2025
, Safety Management III B
1. Objectives of Workers’ Compensation (10 marks)
Workers’ compensation legislation is designed to balance the rights and responsibilities
of both employees and employers when workplace accidents or occupational diseases
occur. The main objectives include:
Financial Protection for Workers: Employees who are injured or fall ill because
of work are entitled to medical treatment and income replacement, ensuring they
do not suffer undue financial hardship during recovery.
Employer Protection: By providing a statutory framework, employers are
shielded from lengthy and costly civil litigation, since employees claim directly
from the compensation system instead of suing their employers.
Encouragement of Safer Workplaces: Because fewer accidents mean fewer
claims, employers are motivated to invest in safety programs and preventative
measures.
Rehabilitation and Return to Work: Compensation schemes often extend
beyond financial benefits, offering rehabilitation services to help injured workers
regain capacity and reintegrate into the workplace.
Fair and Efficient Dispute Handling: The system provides a straightforward
claims process that avoids complex legal battles, ensuring faster access to
benefits.
Broader Social Security Role: Workers’ compensation acts as a social safety
net for employees and their dependents, providing stability and reducing the
burden on public welfare systems.
2. Who Pays Compensation? (10 marks)
The responsibility for financing workers’ compensation rests primarily with employers,
since occupational risks arise from the employment relationship. Key aspects include: