No Pain, Lots to Gain:
On-Site Care Helps
Solar Plastics Thrive

How one Minnesota manufacturer reduced workplace injuries 50% with WorkSiteRight.

In an industrial building in Delano, MN, Solar Plastics employees are lifting, forming, pounding and drilling high-strength plastics to produce high-end consumer products and manufacturing parts. Using hammers and precision cutting tools, and working amidst giant machinery, high temperatures, and processes that require reaching and lifting, they put their bodies under unusual strain.

But despite working three shifts, musculoskeletal injuries and complaints at Solar Plastics have declined by a remarkable 50% since 2020 thanks to an innovative on-site chiropractic and wellness service provided by WorkSiteRight.

“Employees in many manufacturing companies go home with pain and say, that’s just the way it is,” said Director of Human Resources Lisa Barnhart. “Of course my back hurts. I work hard. But it doesn’t need to be that way. We want to offer an opportunity for them to have that addressed right away before it becomes a real problem.”

She found just what she was looking for in Bloomington, MN-based WorkSiteRight, which aims to help clients reduce claims, reduce time lost to injury, and foster a more healthful, productive, positive workplace.

Regular on-site care for happier, healthier workers – and improved productivity

Dr. Scott Meyer, a WorkSiteRight Doctor of Chiropractic, has delivered care at Solar Plastics since 2020. With his office right off the manufacturing floor, he is available for set hours twice a week, when employees can schedule appointments or just drop in depending on availability.

“It’s great that my company has this program for me to address my health concerns”

“Especially when somebody new comes in, this job is pretty hard,” said Dr. Meyer.

“It can be overuse. Injuries can happen, such as carpal tunnel, just muscle strains. Those are the things that we're trying to prevent and even treat.”

In addition to seeing people in his treatment room – even for ailments not work-related – Dr. Meyer walks the factory floor (a practice known as WorkSiteWalk), observing people at their workstations, recommending stretches and exercises, and immediately implementing health recommendations. With these WorkSiteWalks and the convenience of care on site, 60-70% of employees across all WorkSiteRight programs engage in services.

For Barnhart, the impact on life at Solar Plastics has been remarkable. “In addition to reducing the injuries, which exceeded our expectations, what we also saw that I wasn't expecting just was a general uptick in happiness at work.”

The results weren’t instant, Barnhart emphasized. “It took a few months,” she said. “But we had some early adopters who were very excited to utilize the services. And then as word spread that, hey, this is pretty cool and I feel better, then we saw an uptake.”

Feeling better at work, at home, and on the go

Victoria Anthony, a quality control technician at Solar Plastics who previously had a production role, was one of those who came around to realizing the value of on-site care. Her production job, which involved wielding a foam gun, put a lot of wear and tear on her arm.

“I was complaining about a lot of pain, and I got a lot of people recommending [Dr. Meyer],” she said. “So I finally made the appointment. Prior to seeing him versus after seeing him, there's a big difference as far as the ability to use my muscles on a continuous basis without pain.”

Now she sees Dr. Meyer as needed, which helps her feel better outside work with her family. “I tell him he's the best,” she said. “You start to see the same person and you build this little rapport - Hey, how's your shoulder? How's your neck? I like the fact that you can see somebody and they know you.”

Part of the team, wherever they are

While he has his own practice in addition to his role at Solar Plastics, Dr. Meyer appreciates being part of the team and helping people feel as good as possible.

“Just being able to go home feeling as good as when they started, I think that's really important,” said Dr. Meyer. “There's been a few that thought they were going to have to have surgery that we've been able to help out.” The result: No lost hours, painful recovery, or loss of quality of life with their family.

For Solar Plastics, the care provided by WorkSiteRight has become part of the company’s value proposition, valuable in retaining workers and even in recruiting. The effort has been so successful, Barnhart said, that Solar Plastics expanded the service to its factory in Davenport, Iowa.

“With these WorkSiteWalks and the convenience of care on site, 60-70% of employees across all WorkSiteRight programs engage in services.”

With the capabilities, resources and expertise offered by WorkSiteRight, Barnhardt says, Solar Plastics is able to invest more in what matters most: Its people.

“Solar Plastics has always put employees first,” Barnhart said. “We understand that you come in as a whole person. We want to be able to offer personalized individual care for you.”

Learn more about WorkSiteRight