Ōpōtiki packhouse Riverlock is wrapping support around the family and coworkers of a woman injured while cleaning machinery this week.

Emergency services were called to the worksite on Waioeka Road shortly after midday on Monday when the employee was seriously injured while undertaking routine annual cleaning of a packing machine.

She was airlifted to Waikato Hospital in critical condition and WorkSafe are investigating the incident.

Riverlock general manager Blair Simm, pictured, said the employee had worked at the company for several years, and counselling support was immediately available for her colleagues, some of whom witnessed the accident.

Whakatōhea’s counselling services would remain available on an ongoing basis for staff, he said.

Mr Simm acknowledged support provided by Waioweka Marae immediately after the accident.

Riverlock supported the employee’s family and coworkers to be by her side yesterday morning, helping with transport and accommodation.

The area where the accident occurred had been isolated and cordoned off ahead of WorkSafe investigators’ arrival.

WorkSafe has confirmed enquiries are being made to understand the circumstances of the incident, noting that accidents involving machinery remain a common cause of accute harm.

“Manufacturing is a large and diverse sector, and it has the largest total number of injuries of any

sector.”