Return to work coordinator profiler

Get to know...                           

Name: Tricia Gilroy

Position: Risk Manager

Organisation: Bedford Group

Bedford provides employment, training, day options and accommodation services for more than 1,800 people with disability across 19 sites in South Australia, as well as in Silverwater, NSW.

We aim to build capacity, independence and wellbeing by providing meaningful employment in a range of settings. Our work environments are varied and include roles in packaging, manufacturing, hospitality, and landscaping and grounds maintenance.

Bedford maintains a steadfast commitment to safety. The wellbeing and health of our employees is at the core of our service offering and requires unwavering commitment to ensure the needs of our more vulnerable workforce are always met.

1. Tell us a bit about your role.

As risk manager and the return to work coordinator for Bedford Group, my role encompasses work health safety, quality and claims management. The core function of my team is to increase the focus on safety in the workplace and to educate and influence our staff on safe working practices.

2. What does an average day look like for you?

There is no average day at Bedford, we pride ourselves on our flexibility and versatility within an ever-changing environment.

3. What do you like about your role?

Being such a large organisation, we have 12 trained return to work coordinators who are spread across our 19 sites. If any of the coordinators require assistance or advice concerning the return to work process, then we talk through the process and discuss incentives that we can put into place to support the worker.

We are a disability organisation with dedicated staff that support people with varying levels of capacity. We adjust or modify work areas to ensure people are working safely and do this every day. We look for ability not disability.

4. What are the key challenges of your role?

At times the distance between all sites can be a challenge, but at each location we have a dedicated return to work coordinator who has extensive knowledge of their workplace environment, operations and workers. This provides them with the tools they need to facilitate the injury management process.

5. What advice would you give to other return to work coordinators?

I think that cooperation is vital in the return to work process, and working not only with the injured worker but with their manager/supervisor, treating professionals and our claims agent. It works best with everyone working towards the same goal.

6. What's been your best experience as a return to work coordinator?

Hearing stories from injured workers about how they felt supported by our organisation throughout the return to or remain at work process. It’s wonderful to see our workers support their team mates at work.

7. What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?

I have a small boat and enjoy taking it out and doing a little fishing. I find it a wonderful way of relaxing.

8. Dead or alive, who would you like to meet and what would you say to them?

I would like to meet all 1,800 people within our organisation, as hearing the amazing stories of those who I have already had the pleasure to work with has taught me that anything is achievable.