In an industry where physically demanding roles and tight production schedules are the norm, injuries can disrupt operations and put pressure on teams. But one South Island timber business has found a better way – keeping injured workers connected to work and reaping the benefits.Westco Lumber, a timber sawmill and distributor employing over 100 staff across Ruatapu and Christchurch, wanted to improve how it supported injured employees.
“When people injured themselves, they’d be put off work and we wouldn’t see or hear from them for several weeks,” says Westco Lumber Health and Safety Team Leader, Ebony Hillman.
“We could hear the stress this was causing. People were saying they felt isolated and anxious about their jobs. We knew we could do better.”
Keeping injured workers connected to their workplace – through modified duties or regular communication – can make a big difference. It helps people feel supported, maintain their sense of purpose, and stay engaged with their team. For businesses, it means retaining skilled staff and reducing disruption, she adds.
Taking action
Westco Lumber joined an ACC Recovery at Work trial to see what difference a workplace could make. The trial involved team leaders, senior management, and employees working together to review processes, develop resources and track progress.
One of the most practical changes was introducing checklists for team leaders.
“Every injury and every situation is different,” says Ms Hillman. “Having a basic step-by-step list means you always get the information you need. Regardless of whether someone was injured at work or at home, the same steps apply”.
Improved communication was another key learning.
“Sometimes people feel anxious because they think they’re letting everyone down. Regular check-ins help them feel included and valued. Continuous reassurance is hugely important.”
Westco Lumber also strengthened relationships with local health providers, including doctors, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists.
“Better communication with health providers means that if recovery isn’t going to plan, we can act early and find alternative strategies,” she says. “They understand what we do, and we’re on the same page about modified duties.”
Thinking outside the square
Identifying suitable duties for injured workers was a challenge at first. Over time, Westco Lumber expanded its list of modified duties from four to 18 options, all approved by an occupational therapist.
“It’s not one size fits all,” says Ms Hillman. “You have to think creatively, look beyond the person’s main role and see what other strengths they have, break tasks down so others can share the load. That’s what worked for us.”
The results speak for themselves: Westco Lumber is seeing fewer injury claims, faster returns to work, and happier, more engaged employees, which is better for their bottom line.
“When you’ve got happy people, production is amazing too,” she says.
The company’s efforts have been recognised – they were a finalist in the West Coast Leading Light Business Excellence Awards 2024 ‘ACC Employer of the Year’, and Ms Hillman won the Canterbury West Coast Forestry Awards 2024 ‘Outstanding Health and Safety Management Award.’
Mark Ross, Chief Executive of the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association, says Westco Lumber’s approach is a great example for...
