As the festive season draws ever closer and the nights are getting darker its important that
we all take a look at our health & safety policies to ensure we are keeping our staff safe at
work.
Well-being of employees
As the festive period gears up, it can often run the risk of burnout amongst
members of staff. This is especially prevalent in a time where employees are
working from home more often and struggling to create that work/life balance.
The increase in potential work related stress is compounded by the shrinking
daylight hours and potential personal difficulties individuals may face at
Christmas.
To help employees who may be feeling overwhelmed or struggling, it is key that
employers clearly communicate their systems for mental health support and
show how important employee well-being is.
Slips and trips
As workplaces are donned with tinsel and trees, it is important for employers to
make sure that decorations do not compromise the safety of employees in the
workplace. Christmas decorations can often lead to cables and other
obstructions across walkways, which increase the chance of accidents. Ensure
that all emergency exits are kept clear and that any decorations are securely put
up; depending on the extent of the decorations, it may be worth factoring them
into any risk assessments.
The additional risk to employees is in their commute to the office, as roads and
pavements become icy. To reflect this, employers may wish to include in their
handbook details as to what employees are expected to do if they deem the
journey to work too hazardous in the icy conditions.
This can also be true of workplaces for those who work at home. The duty of
care still subsist for home working, so giving some guidance on work-spaces is a
good way to assist.
Alcohol Consumption
In a season of Christmas parties and overindulgence, employees may be out
celebrating more often than they are used to. The risk this poses to employers is
in having potentially tired or still inebriated staff at work, which would cause
risk to other employees or visitors to the workplace. Its important to remind your
workforce of the safe limits for drinking and driving – especially if they are
driving in the morning.
Rise in seasonal illnesses
On top of the current pandemic, the winter period also sees a rise in other
seasonal illnesses, which can similarly spread around a workplace. To help
combat this, employers should ensure that the workplace is heated to a
minimum of 16 degrees and consider offering flu vaccinations to your
employees.
It is also important to maintain good hygiene and have a procedure in place if
you do get some high instances of flu or Covid 19 in your workplace.
Temporary staff
With many employers needing to bring in seasonal staff over the busy Christmas
period, bringing them up to date with training and company policies may fall by
the wayside. Employers should ensure that all staff are reminded of company
policies and all required training is duly completed.
Working at height putting Christmas Decorations up?
• Provide your staff with suitable step ladders to put up Christmas decorations, rather than standing on desks or balancing on office chairs, easy win!
• As with any other instance of working at height, employees should always be careful not to over reach and ensure they’re sporting sensible footwear. Heals are a big no no!
• Get some help, have someone hold the bottom of the ladder (which has should have been inspected before use).
• Always make sure the tree is stable and secure, if your tree is real rather than artificial, you should also keep it well-watered, but do not water it while the lights are switched on!
Lighting and Electricity
Your Christmas lights can deteriorate over time, bringing the risk of shocks, burns and could
even be a potential fire hazard!
So before putting lights on the tree, you should always conduct a visual inspection, checking the
condition of the wiring and ensuring that there aren’t any frayed/bare wires or broken/cracked
sockets. If you are suitably trained, check the fuse protection rating at the plug top.
The use of a Residual Current Devise (RCD) is ideal, as is the purchase of a new set! It is a good
idea these days to switch from your regular 240V mains lighting to low-voltage lighting, which
removes the risk of a fatal electric shock and remember to have them on a timer to switch them
off.
Check that you are not overloading sockets or extensions.
Fire starter
Fire, a huge area of importance which needs to be considered when putting up your Christmas
decorations, don’t hang/stick them:
• Too close to light fitting or heaters;
• Covering the fire detection sensor;
• Across doorways, make sure that trailing cables do not create a tripping hazard.
Use your common sense with this one and please, be extra vigilant.
Christmas trees
Make sure that trees are sensibly placed, not close to potential sources of ignition and not
blocking fire escape routes or exits.
• They must never be decorated with lit candles
• should always be set firmly in a suitable container so they don’t fall over
• Never located where they can cause an obstruction to the means of escape from the room/building;
• Natural Christmas trees can be extremely flammable, particularly as they
dry out and should therefore be kept in a tree stand filled with water and
adequately separated from heat source. Where possible use a flame
retardant alternative, they aren’t only a far lesser risk, but also less hassle.
The Office Christmas
Party
Most of us will be looking forward to letting our hair down at the Christmas party, a chance to eat
drink and be merry! Rather than having this in your workplace it’s both safer and more practical
to hold it at a local venue as sometimes it just isn’t worth the risks, of which there could be many.
Last but not least, enjoy yourself and have a very Merry Christmas!
