436-110-0350 Worksite Modification — General Provisions (1) Worksite modification defined. (a) Worksite modification means altering a worksite by purchasing, modifying, or supplementing equipment, or changing the work process, to enable a worker to work within the restrictions caused by a compensable injury or occupational disease. (b) For purposes of the Preferred Worker Program, "worksite" means a primary work area that is in Oregon, already constructed, and available for a worker to use to perform the required job duties. The worksite may be the employer’s, client’s, or worker’s premises, property, or equipment used to conduct business under the employer’s or client’s direction and control. A worksite may include a worker’s personal property or vehicle if required to perform the job. If the worksite is mobile, it must be available in Oregon for inspection and modification. (2) Conditions for use. Conditions for the use of worksite modification assistance are as follows: (a) Modifications must allow the worker to perform the job duties within the worker’s injury-caused permanent restrictions. In order to determine appropriate worksite modifications, the division worksite modification consultants have discretion to use reports by a medical service provider specific to the worker, specific documented "best practices" described by a medical service provider or authority, and their own professional judgment and experience; (b) A job analysis that includes the duties and physical demands of the job before and after modification may be required to show how the modification will overcome the worker’s restrictions. The job analysis may be submitted to the attending physician for approval before the modification is performed; (c) Except as provided in OAR 436-110-0351(2) for employer at injury activated modifications, modifications can be used up to a maximum of $50,000 per eligibility period, with each use limited to $35,000. If the worker has an exceptional disability, a modification more than $35,000 may be provided; (d) Modifications not to exceed $2,500 may be provided that would reasonably be expected to prevent further injury or exacerbation of the compensable injury or occupational disease, including any disability resulting from the compensable injury or occupational disease. A division worksite modification consultant will determine the appropriateness of this type of modification based upon the consultant’s professional judgment and experience, reports by a medical service provider specific to the worker, or specific documented "best practices" described by a medical service provider or authority. Costs of the modifications are included in the calculation of the total worksite modification costs; (e) Modifications are limited to $2,500 for on-the-job training under OAR 436-120, "Vocational Assistance to Injured Workers," or other similar on-the-job training program when the trainer is not the employer at injury. A modification will not be approved for any other type of training; (f) Modifications up to $2,500 may be provided to protect the items approved in the worksite modification agreement from theft or damage from the weather. Insurance policy premiums will not be paid; (g) When a vehicle is being modified, the vehicle owner must provide proof of ownership and insurance coverage. The worker must have a valid driver license with any applicable classification or endorsement; (h) Rented or leased vehicles and other equipment will not be modified; (i) Modifications must be reasonable, practical, and feasible, as determined by the director; (j) When the director determines the appropriate form of modification and the worker or employer requests a form of modification equally appropriate but with a greater cost, upon director approval, funds equal to the cost of the form of modification identified by the director may be applied toward the cost of the modification desired by the worker or employer; (k) A modification may include rental of tools, equipment, fixtures, or furnishings to determine the feasibility of a modification. It may also include consultative services necessary to determine the feasibility of a modification, or to recommend or design a worksite modification; (l) Rental of worksite modification items and consultative services require director approval and are limited to a cost of up to $5,000 each. The cost for rental of worksite modification items and consultative services does not apply toward the total cost of a worksite modification; (m) Modification equipment will become the property of the employer, worker, or client on the end date of the worksite modification agreement, or when the worker’s employment ends, whichever occurs first. The director will determine ownership of worksite modification equipment before approving an agreement and has the final authority to assign property; (n) The director may request a physical capacities evaluation, work tolerance screening, or review of a job analysis to quantify the worker’s injury-caused permanent restrictions. The cost of temporary lodging, meals, public transportation, and use of a personal vehicle necessary for a worker to participate in one or more of these required activities will be reimbursed at the rate published in Bulletin 112. The cost of the services described in this subsection must be paid by the insurer; (o) If the property provided for the modification is damaged, in need of repair, or lost, the director will not repair or replace the property; (p) The employer must not dispose of the property provided for the modification or reassign it to another worker while the worker is employed in work for which the modification is necessary or before the end of the agreement without director and worker approval. Failure to repair or replace the property, or inappropriate disposal or reassignment of the property, may result in sanctions under OAR 436-110-0900; and (q) The worker must not dispose of the property provided for the modification while employed in work for which the modification is necessary or before the end of the agreement without director approval. Failure to repair or replace the property, or inappropriate disposal of the property, may result in sanctions under OAR 436-110-0900. (3) Requests for assistance, payment, and reimbursement. (a) A worker, employer, or the worker’s or employer’s representative, may request worksite modification assistance. (b) A division worksite modification consultant will determine if competitive quotes are required. (c) The director must create and approve a completed and signed worksite modification agreement before any reimbursement or payment. (d) Costs of approved worksite modifications will be paid by reimbursement or other instrument of payment approved by the director. (e) The director will provide payment but will not otherwise assume responsibility for worksite modifications. (f) The person or entity that purchased the items may request reimbursement by submitting to the division proof of payment for the items purchased. Reimbursement will be made for only those items and costs approved and paid. (g) All requests for reimbursement must be made within one year of the date the worksite modification agreement ends. No specific form is required. (h) Reimbursed costs may not be charged by the insurer to the employer as claims costs or by any other means. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 656.726(4) & ORS 656.622 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 656.622 History: WCD 4-2022, amend filed 06/13/2022, effective 07/01/2022 WCD 4-2016, f. 11-28-16, cert. ef. 1-1-17 WCD 1-2015, f. 1-29-15, cert. ef. 3-1-15 WCD 4-2010, f. 9-15-10, cert. ef. 10-12-10 WCD 3-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10 WCD 8-2007, f. 11-1-07, cert. ef. 12-1-07 WCD 4-2005, f. 5-26-05, cert. ef. 7-1-05 WCD 7-2001, f. 8-14-01, cert. ef. 10-1-01, Renumbered from 436-110-0300 & 436-110-0340 WCD 11-1997, f. 8-28-97, cert. ef. 9-12-97, Renumbered from 436-110-0200 & 436-110-0400 WCD 4-1997(Temp), f. 3-13-97, cert. ef. 3-17-97 WCD 10-1996, f. 3-12-96, cert. ef. 4-5-96 WCD 20-1995(Temp), f. 12-8-95, cert. ef. 1-1-96 WCD 15-1995(Temp), f. 10-9-95, cert. ef. 10-11-95 WCD 1-1993, f. 1-21-93, cert. ef. 3-1-93, Renumbered from 436-110-0010, 436-110-0020, 436-110-0025, 436-110-0031, 436-110-0032, 436-110-0035, 436-110-0037, 436-110-0041, 436-110-0042, 436-110-0045, 436-110-0047, 436-110-0051, 436-110-0052 & 436-110-0060 WCD 32-1990, f. 12-10-90, cert. ef. 12-26-90 WCD 13-1990(Temp), f. 6-21-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90 WCD 12-1987, f. 12-17-87, cert. ef. 1-1-88 WCD 1-1987, f. 2-20-87, cert. ef. 3-16-87 WCD 7-1981, f. 12-30-81, cert. ef. 1-1-82, Renumbered from 436-063-0015 & 436-063-0045 WCD 2-1978, f. & cert. ef. 2-1-78 WCD 2-1977(Temp), f. 9-29-77, cert. ef. 10-4-77 WCB 3-1973, f. 3-14-73, cert. ef. 4-1-73 WCB 1-1973, f. 1-2-73, cert. ef. 1-15-73