Successful reduction in workplace injuries:  Case Study – Farmers Trading Company

Client Snapshot

• Industry:    Retail
• Workforce Size:    Approx 4000  
• Locations:     1 Distribution Centre, Support Centre Auckland and 64 Stores nationwide.
• Context: Farmers’ workforce faced a huge variation in manual handling requirements due to the diversity of products, differing in weight, size, and shape.
• First engaged Provention:    2022 

The Impact

• A 67% reduction in work-related manual handling ACC claims since 2022.
• Staff report:  They love the training and find the principles applicable to both work and out of work activities.
• H&S Manager Feedback:  I have definitely noticed a shift in team engagement around Manual Handling practices and discussions since the First Move programme was introduced.

The Challenge

Farmers were facing: 

• A steady increase in back and shoulder strain injuries.
• Limited success from previous programmes.
• Trying to find a consistent, effective national programme that could easily be rolled out online.
• A geographically dispersed workforce.

Farmers Approach

Farmers rolled out the First Move Online programme nationally, ensuring consistent training across all employees:

• SCORM Integration:  Delivered as SCORM files for Farmers’ LMS, enabling seamless tracking of completion and competency.
• Two-Phase Learning:  All employees (and new starters) completed Phase 1, followed six months later by Phase 2 to reinforce safe movement and introduce new applications. Both phases are now used for ongoing refreshers.
• Incident & Discomfort Response:  The programme is also used as an action step following incidents, near misses and early discomfort reports.

Support resources:

To sustain behaviour change and embed safe movement for long-term success, Farmers introduced a comprehensive suite of support resources :

• Habit Maker Toolkit: Including:
  • Ready-to-use Team Talks for supervisors and leaders.
  • Short reminder videos to boost knowledge and application.
  • Monthly newsletters highlighting everyday applications of First Move principles.
• Posters with QR Codes – Displayed in stores as quick-access reminders of safe movement principles. Staff could scan QR codes for videos or use them in team meetings as discussion prompts.

Key Takeaway

Safe movement programmes are a successful component of injury prevention strategies when the information is easy to understand, practical, and directly relevant. Long-term success comes from more than training alone, it requires ongoing investment in support resources and frequent reminders to drive habit change and embed safe movement into everyday practice.

Contact Provention to reduce your workplace manual handling related injuries.