‘Tis the season for mince pies, mulled wine, and general merriment….and a few extra hazards sneaking into the workplace. Before everyone clocks off for a well-earned break, here are a few festive safety checks worth running through:
Check those Christmas lights We’re assuming the office hasn’t had the same tree lights since 1998… but let’s be honest, they’re often a few years old. Make sure anything with a plug is PAT tested, intact, and not held together with hope and Sellotape.
Inspect electrical cables A frayed cable might look ‘just a little worn’, but DO NOT risk using it.
Don’t overload extension leads Overloading is one of the most common causes of festive fires. Think about where you’re plugging in those Christmas lights.
Thinking of candles? Think again Our fire risk assessor literally hisses at the sight of a tea light or candle. He doesn’t have them at home and would certainly NEVER use them in a workplace.
If the office is closing for Christmas, power down properly Don’t make the assumption that someone else will switch things off. They probably won’t. Make sure anything not needed is turned off at the socket – kettles, heaters, monitors, etc.
Lock up securely Doors, windows, shutters – ensure all are shut and secure before you leave for the Christmas break.
Clear the clutter Festive deliveries, wrapping paper, coats, and cardboard boxes can pile up and get in the way. They also burn beautifully – which is exactly whey they shouldn’t be near heaters or blocking fire exits. Keep escape routes clear.
Check the outdoor areas Ice, snow or soggy leaves? Any of these can turn the work car park into a slippery surface. Grit and clear, as necessary.
A few simple steps now = a safer, calmer return in January.
We have worked with Safewell for many years and are retained clients, so we have developed an excellent working relationship with the team. However, this really came into its own when Covid 19 appeared.
As a Plumbing and Heating business, we were able to carry on working during the lockdown but only for responding to emergencies. We were obviously very concerned about the health and safety of our employees and before we even had chance to get in touch with Safewell, they had emailed us offering their assistance. It is hard to put down on paper how that made us feel - we like everyone else felt totally at sea, which way to turn, what to do? But Safewell were there guiding, supporting and being totally brilliant. Their attention to detail is very impressive and reassuring and we feel able to ask lots of questions without feeling silly.
During the pandemic Safewell helped us to write risk assessments, safety procedures and protocols. They kept in touch regularly, issuing new guidance as soon as it appeared and checking in with us. They held group Q&A sessions over Zoom which were helpful, and knowing other businesses were facing the same challenges and having the opportunity to discuss issues was invaluable. Their help during the preparation for a full return to work was brilliant, they enabled us to be fully prepared and feel in control, and when we had our first case of Covid within the team, because we had planned our response it felt ok.
I think our team felt very reassured by our robust approach and that our office was Covid secure. We are extremely grateful to all the team at Safewell
