Policy Text
Policy
1017San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentOccupational Disease and Work-Related Injury
Reporting - 1Occupational Disease and Work-Related Injury
Reporting
1017.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance regarding the timely reporting of occupational
diseases, mental health issues, and work-related injuries.
1017.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
Occupational disease or work-related injury - An injury, disease, or mental health issue arising
out of employment (Labor Code § 3208; Labor Code § 3208.3; Labor Code § 3212 et seq.).
1017.2 POLICY
The San Luis Obispo Police Department will address occupational diseases and work-related
injuries appropriately, and will comply with applicable state workers’ compensation requirements
(Labor Code § 3200 et seq.).
1017.2.1 INJURIES REQUIRING MEDICAL CARE
All work related injuries and work related illnesses requiring medical care must be reported to the
Risk Management Office and a claim form shall be provided to the injured employee within 24
hours from the time the injury was discovered, excluding weekends and holidays, or as soon as
practicable.
1017.2.2 ACCIDENT DEFINED
Accident - is defined as any occurrence from which bodily injury or property damage may
result, regardless of whether any injury or damage actually does occur (e.g., exposure where no
immediate injury is apparent).
1017.2.3 EMPLOYEE'S RESPONSIBILITY
Any employee sustaining any work-related injury or illness, as well as any employee who is
involved in any accident while on duty shall report such injury, illness or accident as soon as
practical to his/her supervisor.
Any employee observing or learning of a potentially hazardous condition shall promptly report the
condition to his/her immediate supervisor.
Any employee sustaining a work-related injury or illness that requires relief from duty shall be
examined/treated by a doctor.
Any employee sustaining a work-related injury or illness that requires relief from duty is also
required to comply with departmental policies and directives and shall notify the Department of
any change in condition or anticipated duration of the absence.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Occupational Disease and Work-Related Injury Reporting
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentOccupational Disease and Work-Related Injury
Reporting - 2When appropriate, an employee being treated for an on-duty injury should inform the attending
physician that a modified duty assignment may be available at the Department. Limited-service
duty may be available for the employees whose injuries prevent resumption of regular duties.
An injured employee or employee who has suffered a work-related illness shall report as soon as
practical to his/her immediate supervisor the medical findings concerning the injury and the extent
and duration of any work restrictions if they are known. In addition, such employees are required
to promptly submit all medical releases, whether partial or full releases, to their supervisor.
1017.2.4 SUPERVISOR'S RESPONSIBILITY
A supervisor learning of any work-related injury, illness or accident shall promptly prepare the
appropriate forms as outlined under Policy Manual § 1042.2. Updated copies of forms with
instructions for completion provided by Risk Management are kept in the Watch Commander's
and Field Supervisors' office.
For work-related accidents, injuries or illness not requiring professional medical care, a
Supervisor's Report of Injury form shall be completed in triplicate. All copies of the completed form
shall be forwarded to the Administrative Captain, through the chain of command.
When an accident, injury, or illness is reported initially on the Supervisor's Report of Injury form and
the employee subsequently requires professional medical care, the State of California Employer's
Report of Occupational Injury or Illness form shall then be completed. The injured employee shall
also sign the form in the appropriate location.
Every injured employee must be provided with an Employee's Claim for Workers' Compensation
Benefits Form (DWC-1) within 24 hours, regardless of the nature of illness or injury.
Copies of any reports documenting the accident or injury shall be forwarded to the Bureau Captain
as soon as they are completed.
1017.2.5 BUREAU CAPTAIN RESPONSIBILITY
The Administrative Captain receiving a report of a work-related accident or injury shall review the
report for accuracy and determine what additional action should be taken. The report shall then
be forwarded to the Human Resource Department.
1017.2.6 CHIEF OF POLICE RESPONSIBILITY
The Chief of Police shall review and forward copies of the report to the Department of Human
Resources. Any copies of the report and any related documents retained by the Department shall
be filed in the employee's confidential medical file and not in the employee's personnel file (see
Policy Manual § 1026).
1017.3 OTHER DISEASE OR INJURY
Diseases and injuries caused or occurring on-duty that do not qualify for workers’ compensation
reporting shall be documented on the designated report of injury form, which shall be signed by
a supervisor. A copy of the completed form shall be forwarded to the appropriate Division Chief
through the chain of command and a copy sent to the Administration Division Chief.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Occupational Disease and Work