The holiday season adds responsibility for some employees as they decorate their work spaces to make them more festive. Although the decorations aim to bring joy, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration cautions employers and employees to be mindful of safety and health on the job.
“The holiday season is a time for celebration and reflection for many, but they are also occasions when employees face safety hazards found atop ladders or roofs putting decorations in place, in busy warehouses and retail stores meeting heightened customer demands, and working outdoors as winter approaches,” OSHA Regional Administrator Bill Donovan, Chicago, said in a statement. “To make the holidays happy for all, employers must stress workplace safety and health and train employees to prevent serious and fatal injuries.”
The agency offers the following tips for holiday season health and safety:
- Train workers with clear instructions “in a language they understand.”
- Provide young and new employees with hands-on training on using equipment properly.
- Delivery and warehouse workers should wear bright-colored clothing.
- Remind workers to properly stack materials and to stand clear of doors when doors are open for unloading.
- Have a detailed, flexible staffing plan in place to reduce workplace stress.
- Have a clear exit plan in place, especially when large crowds are expected.
- Make sure entrances and exits are clearly marked.
- Encourage employees to report any potential hazards.
- Remember that seasonal workers have the same rights as regular employees.
