How Higgins and Fletcher Building Proved That Investing in Physical Well-being Delivers Business Results

Many organisations approach injury prevention reactively — addressing incidents after they occur. Higgins and Fletcher Building chose a different path. They recognised that when you prioritise individual physical well-being, the benefits extend far beyond the person. Healthier, more physically intelligent individuals contribute to safer, more productive, and more resilient workplaces.

This philosophy drove the implementation of First Move — a proactive wellness initiative designed to improve the everyday physical well-being of their people, with the understanding that a well-supported individual is naturally less likely to be injured, less fatigued, and more focused at work.

A Wellness-Led Approach That Delivered

The First Move programme wasn’t positioned as a traditional injury prevention tool. Its primary aim was to help individuals move better, feel better, and live better — both at work and at home. By focusing on physical literacy, daily movement habits, and restoring natural movement patterns, the programme quietly but powerfully reshaped workplace outcomes.

The results speak for themselves:

• Zero manual handling injuries in the regions where First Move was rolled out — a direct result of physically capable individuals moving more intelligently and efficiently in their environments.
• A reduction in uptake of Higgins’ pain and discomfort support services, reflecting not only fewer musculoskeletal complaints but a workforce feeling noticeably better in their day-to-day roles.

Beyond injury data, Fletcher Building extended the programme by measuring individual well-being outcomes through structured pre- and post-programme surveys. The initial findings confirmed what many suspected: when people feel better, they perform better.

• 82% of employees reported a reduction in pain and discomfort, improving their overall quality of life.
• 75% experienced better sleep quality, a key factor in reducing fatigue-related mistakes, improving decision-making, and supporting physical recovery.

Proactive, People-First Thinking That Benefits Business

This initiative highlights the value of shifting the narrative from injury prevention to well-being promotion. By investing in the physical capability, comfort, and resilience of individuals, organisations can achieve safer workplaces, improved productivity, and reduced injury-related costs — not by chasing numbers, but by backing their people.

What Could This Look Like For Your Team?

If your current health and safety strategy is heavily reactive, it might be time to rethink the model. First Move is proof that when physical well-being becomes a business priority, the benefits extend far beyond fewer injuries.

Talk to us about how a tailored, wellness-led approach can improve the health, capability, and performance of your workforce — and deliver measurable business results along the way.