Occupational rehabilitation

When workers have a work accident or contract an occupational disease, they are entitled to rehabilitation services if they need them. This is an important step toward returning to work that facilitates the worker's social and work reintegration.

Personal rehabilitation plan

A personal rehabilitation plan may include, depending on the worker’s needs, a physical, social and vocational rehabilitation program. A CNESST rehabilitation counsellor prepares and implements the plan with the cooperation of the worker and, for certain measures, the employer.

Each type of rehabilitation program has very specific objectives.

Objectives of each type of rehabilitation program
Rehabilitation program	Objectives for the worker
Physical	Eliminate or alleviate physical disability Allow the worker to develop their residual capacity to compensate for the functional limitations resulting from their employment injury
Vocational	Facilitate their reinstatement in their job or an equivalent job Enable them to access suitable employment with the same employer or elsewhere in the labour market
Social	Overcome the personal and social consequences of their employment injury as best they can Adjust to their new situation Regain their autonomy in carrying out activities they did before their injury

Changes to the personal rehabilitation plan

If the worker disregards or refuses a measure included in the personal rehabilitation plan, they must explain their reasons to the counsellor. If the counsellor considers the reasons to be valid, they may adjust the plan. If not, they will inform the CNESST, which might reduce or suspend payment of the worker's income replacement indemnity.

Forms and publications

Démarche en cas d’accident ou de maladie du travail (Document d’information)

Laws and regulations

Loi sur les accidents du travail et les maladies professionnelles (LATMP)