Stay Safe This Christmas Season With These Tips
The festive season takes a toll on just about everyone. There is an energy and excitement in the air, and people stay up late preparing for Christmas. There are parties and events, parades, and festivities everywhere, and people naturally get tired. This can lead to incidents and accidents in the workplace, on the road, and even in your home. A serious accident could have devastating effects on your family and friends.
The end of the year often leads to tight deadlines in the workplace, and shortcuts are often tempting, increasing the chances of injury. While safety is everyone’s responsibility, managers and supervisors must pay attention to their employees and help maintain certain levels of safety, decreasing the risks. Here are a few tips to help.
Don’t Stretch Yourself Too Thin
With so much activity during the Christmas season, everyone’s calendar is full. There are projects that need to be done at work and parties and festivities at night. Plan ahead and leave some space for downtime in your schedule. Get visibility on the items that must get done and be willing to say no so you don’t stretch yourself thin.
Don’t Skimp on Safety
It’s easy to rush things when you’re in a hurry or on a deadline. This doesn’t, however, give you a reason not to follow the safety rules. Wear your personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary, and slow down. Do not cut corners on your projects and processes. Everyone is in a hurry to get the job done, but those processes were put into place for a reason, and it’s not worth risking serious injury to get the job done more quickly.
Ask for Help
Exhaustion can set in rapidly during the festive season, yet humans try to tackle the world. By asking for a bit of help when you need it most, you can get some relief and do some networking at the same time. Asking for help can also bring stress relief and make you happier and more productive. Work on projects as a team to benefit from additional problem-solving and brainstorming ideas.
The WHS Act is in place to ensure reasonably practicable steps are available to protect the health and safety of employees at work. This is in place for both work hours and additional work functions, such as Christmas parties. Set expectations for your employees early and be sure they are followed to keep everyone safe this festive season.