Jim,
Being Canadian (in Ontario), we actually have something called the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (yes, government).
They are very hard on companies to have proper programs in place to have people return to work with appropriate work for the existing injury.
A couple of years ago, we had someone break their leg outside in the parking lot. Due to the extent of the break and the associated surgery, they were off for 2 weeks. When they returned, they were given work that did not cause them to use their leg (i.e. given chair to do productive work - pack kits for products, pack small products, complete required paperwork, etc.). They were able to make full wages while they healed, the company got production, and costs were lowered.
In addition, there needs to be clearance by 2 doctors (one is usually the person's doctor and a WSIB doctor) to qualify for modified work. Hence, greatly decreasing the likelihood of a company arbitrarily deciding when a person should be back to work.
Furthermore, it is ridiculous to consider zero for all accidents (i.e. papercuts). Here there are generally 4 categories to safety issues. LTA (Lost Time Accidents - the worst and most sever), MA (Medical Aids - needed to see a doctor for stitches or something like that but came back to work same or next day), FA (First Aid - minor issues that are dealt with by trained 1st aiders within the facility), and NR (Near-misses - nobody hurt but actions that may have resulted in injury in a similar situation).
Generally, only LTA's and MA's are given a goal of zero. The other categories are given progressively lower #'s each year as research shows that if you control the lower (less severe) categories you greatly reduce the chance of a more severe injury.
I still stand by the fact that zero LTA's and MA's are completely attainable in ANY environment IF management spends the time to create the required culture. IF management doesn't spend that time, you are completely wasting your time (gee - sound similar to quality anyone?!?!?!).