Our CEO Selena Armstrong wrote an article for F+B Tech highlighting our case study with Industry Med on supporting injured workers to get back into the workplace.
Time away from work due to injury is rising across many New Zealand industries – and manufacturing is no exception. While the number of workplace injuries each year are coming down, workers in manufacturing are taking longer to return. That creates challenges not just for businesses trying to maintain productivity, but for injured kaimahi/workers, whose physical and mental wellbeing can be affected by extended time off work.
We know that returning to work in a supportive environment – or even recovering while still working – leads to better outcomes for everyone involved. But despite the benefits, many workplaces still face practical and systemic barriers that make this difficult to achieve.
ShopCare has just released a new case study that is highly relevant for the manufacturing sector, and I’m pleased to share the highlights with the F+B Tech community.
Working with a large rural manufacturer, the case study highlights how a structured return-to-work approach helped injured workers recover faster and get back on the job.
Supporting the full retail lifecycle
First, a quick introduction to ShopCare. We are a charitable trust funded by ACC, that works to improve health, safety and wellbeing outcomes across the full retail supply chain – from manufacturing, warehousing, transport and logistics, through to the shop floor.
Our work begins at the manufacturers or suppliers worksite and ends when a customer walks away with their purchase. That retail supply chain journey involves approximately 20% (492k) of the workforce in Aotearoa – and we’re here to help them stay safe, supported, and well.
We do this by partnering with industry leaders and experts to create practical tools, free training resources, real-world case studies, and pilot programmes to test new approaches to long-standing problems.
An end-to-end, people-focused approach
Our recent case study highlights a successful return-to-work programme developed in partnership with Industry Med – a specialist provider of workplace-based injury support and occupational health services.
Industry Med originated from health centres within large pulp and paper mills in the Bay of Plenty, where businesses had company physicians who worked closely with workers to provide first aid and coordinate return-to-work planning. Building on this model, Industry Med now supports over 2,500 workers across industrial sites in Aotearoa, both in person and through telemedicine.
What was it that led to Industry Med’s successes?
One of the most impactful changes Industry Med has introduced is the setup of remote clinics on isolated industrial sites. Leveraging technology, Industry Med’s virtual clinics are equipped with advanced telehealth technology to enable remote consultations and monitoring.
Their video consultation capabilities and virtual monitoring equipment ensure healthcare providers can perform thorough examinations remotely and immediately following injury.
Another factor is that from the initial injury treatment through to rehabilitation, Industry Med manages the entire process, including ACC documentation and specialist referrals.
What other manufacturers can take away
This case study shows that better return-to-work outcomes don’t require massive investment. It just takes commitment, communication, and a practical plan.
If you’re a manufacturer facing similar challenges, there are three key take aways:
- Make it easy to report injuries early. The sooner someone is seen, the faster the care can be provided.
- Get everyone on the same page. Collaboration across HR, frontline leaders, kaimahi, and health providers creates stronger recovery plans.
- Stay flexible. Where it’s safe to do so, recovering at work – with adjusted duties – keeps people connected and motivated.
It’s also worth investigating potential partnerships. Industry Med’s onsite support model helped bridge the gap between frontline workers, medical professionals and business leaders.
Ultimately, helping someone return to work safely is good for productivity, morale, and long-term retention.
Here to help you
ShopCare is here to support your sector with real-world guidance that helps improve worker outcomes. Thanks to ACC funding, most of our tools and training are free to use. This includes return-to-work resources, data dashboards, case studies, violent and aggressive behaviour training and cultural competency modules.
If you’re in manufacturing and looking to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of your workforce, we would love to help.
Join our community – it’s free.
By Selena Armstrong, CEO, ShopCare