The Twelve Workplace Hazards of Christmas
- 1 December 2021
As Christmas approaches, people across the UK are looking forward to winding down and enjoying a well-deserved festive break. While we’re thinking about the Twelve Days of Christmas, make sure it doesn’t turn into the twelve workplace hazards of Christmas – no one wants to suffer an accident or injury at ANY time of year, but least of all during the festive season!
Research highlights the perils of the Christmas period in the workplace, as people rush around preparing for the holidays.
Which sectors suffer the most accidents?
Surveys reveal HR professionals and lawyers are most prone to falling over at an office Christmas party. Lawyers are also most likely to spill their drinks on a laptop or important documents. Around one-quarter of people in the marketing, sales and media sectors have accidently thrown their drink all over someone else!
Finance professionals are most likely to miss their train home after the office party. The safest Christmas parties are held by those in the arts and education sectors, where 55% of party people say they have never had an accident.
So, what are the main workplace hazards during the festive period?
1. Falling at the Christmas party
Well, this sounds like me! The most common accident suffered at work in December is someone falling at the workplace Christmas party. A massive 40% of office party-goers have had an accident of some kind.
More than 3.6 million UK employees have suffered a range of injuries, from minor bruising to broken limbs, after a trip or slip at the festive get-together. This is because people tend to let their hair down and don’t notice any potential hazards such as drinks spilt on the floor, or cables from tree lights running across their path.
Avoid the risk: use a cable tidy to reduce the chances of tripping over wires, or opt for simple plastic cable ties to protect the workforce and the cables from damage.
2. Bar workers’ accidents
The higher demand for making drinks and serving at a bar over the Christmas period brings its own risks. Slips and falls are the most common accidents, as the floor of a bar is typically awash with spilt drinks, melting ice and other debris when it’s busy.
Without safety mats on the floor, staff can slip and injure their back, head and joints. Picking up and cleaning empty glasses in a rush can cause breakages, with the potential for bar staff to cut themselves. Using good quality bar drainage tiles, with an anti-slip finish, can help reduce the risks.
3. Food-related mishaps
Many accidents at Christmas involve food: 49% of people have suffered a mishap of some kind involving festive fare. If there’s a meal at your workplace Christmas party, the common accidents include burns from hot food and slipping on food dropped on the floor.
An estimated 3.7 million people have spilt a drink or food on someone else at the work party.
4. Christmas decorations
Every year, around 1,000 people in the UK suffer Christmas tree related injuries. The majority are falls when reaching to fix baubles to higher branches. Falls during December are up 21% for men and 16% for women, according to the Office for National Statistics.
When hanging fairy lights, check for frayed cables or damaged fittings – throw any damaged lights away to avoid risks of electrocution or fire. If you have a real Christmas tree in the office, never water it with the lights plugged in.
5. Seasonal employees
In the run-up to Christmas, a lot of companies employ temporary workers. The sudden influx of new employees means they won’t be familiar with the company’s working practices. Seasonal staff must receive exactly the same standard of health and safety training as every other employee to minimise the risk of accidents.
6. Heater faults
There could be an accident waiting to happen under your desk if you have a portable heater. According to data from the Home Office, more than 11,000 accidental fires occur in commercial settings across the UK in one year, including factories and offices. The majority of office fires are caused by overloaded plug sockets, or electric fan heaters under the desk.
7. Gym accidents
An influx of gym goers suddenly trying to get in shape for that special party are at greater risk when it’s hectic. A massive 41% have suffered an injury while working out, according to personal injury solicitor Hayward Baker.
Common problems include sprained ankles, caused by tripping or slipping while rushing around, although some beginners hurt themselves through not knowing how to use the equipment properly.
Gym owners must ensure newcomers have proper training before using the gym and should install safety equipment, such as non-slip rubber gym mats.
8. Peer pressure
Don’t bow down to peer pressure, even if everyone has had a few drinks. We’ve all been persuaded to do something silly in our youth when egged on by other people, but avoid the temptation of dancing on the desk.
A fall from height in the workplace causes around 80 major injuries in the UK each year, including a fractured skull and broken limbs – resulting in 230 absences that last more than three days every year. Even a fall from a height of less than two metres can result in serious injuries and can even be fatal, especially if you land on your head.
9. Getting home safely
If you’re working late to finish off projects before Christmas, think about how you’re going to get home safely, as 32% of people have fallen on ice in the run-up to Christmas. Make sure you know what time the last train is, or even better, book a licensed taxi in advance if you know it’s going to be below freezing. Take a pair of flat shoes or boots with you for the journey home.
10. Ankle and wrist injuries
The most common injuries that occur in the workplace in December are ankle and wrist injuries from trips and slips.
According to the Royal College of Surgeons, wrist and ankle fractures have accounted for almost five million UK hospital admissions in ten years. This causes a further burden for the NHS and medical sector over the festive period, especially with the Covid-19 pandemic resurgence, as extra safety measures, such as disinfectant matting, are often required to enhance patient and employee safety.
11. Weather-related injuries
The rise in football into shops, hotels and restaurants at Christmas can be a safety hazard in itself – particularly in wet weather, as busy customers rush into and out of buildings.
The HSE warns businesses with tiled entrances that customers are more at risk in these areas on rainy days, as water is walked into the foyer on people’s shoes. Its publication, Getting to Grips with Slips and Trips, advises installing non-slip rubber entrance matting to help keep incidents to a minimum.
12. Christmas lights
Never leave your workplace Christmas tree lights plugged in overnight. London Fire Brigade says electrical problems are the biggest cause of fires in office buildings.
While Christmas is a time of great joy, please make sure you take the proper care. Coruba’s range of high quality products includes rubber matting that can help prevent slips in the workplace. Please contact us for further information.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
