16 December 2004 - RoSPA and TUC Planner for Safe Office Christmas Parties
Some of the suggestions in the report which will help to make for a safe and happy office party are as follows:
- Book hotel, bar or restaurant instead of having the party in the office.
- Do not use swivel chairs for the hanging of decorations. Use safe stepladders.
- Do not hang decorations near electrical appliances such as switches, sockets etc., as this could create a fire hazard.
- Do not block air vents with decorations, as this also could create fire hazards.
- Do not use mistletoe, as berries could be poisonous. Mistletoe could also create a potential sexual harassment situation.
- Be aware of the dangers involved if dancing on desks, chairs or parts of photocopiers.
- Be aware of slips, trips or falls, due to boxes from decorations being strewn on floors.
- Be prepared not to drink and drive by pre-booking taxis for journey home.
A quotation from the report advises staff of the following:
“resist the temptation to photocopy parts of your anatomy — if the copier breaks, you’ll be spending Christmas with glass in some painful places”.
RoSPA and the TUC want everyone's office party to be a happy affair and if the guidance given within their office Christmas party planner is heeded, then everyone can have a very safe and happy Festive Season without injury, which is also the sentiments of all at HSfB.
The Christmas Safety Guide Office Party Planner can be accessed by clicking the following: Christmas Office Party Planner
Article by Alexandra Johnston
