Elf and Safety festive fun | Consensus HR, Herts, Beds,
Are you planning a visit to the workplace from the man in red this year?
What’s a bit of festive fun without careful consideration, planning, risk assessment and documentation? Here are just a few items to remember:
You will, of course, need to decorate your workplace appropriately for Santa’s visit. Please ensure that any overhead decorations are erected by a qualified person with ‘Working at Height’ training and certification. An HSE-approved stepladder must be used and all fairy lights PAT-tested by an electrician.
If your premises have a chimney and fireplace, they present the ideal point of entry for your guest. Therefore, it is essential that a full Fire Risk Assessment is carried out to ensure that he will not meet with undue injury on his descent.
Assuming Santa’s safe arrival, and before he proceeds through your office with his large sack of presents, do remember to risk-assess the situation by interviewing Santa on the extent of his manual handling training. If none has been undertaken, you may want him to sign a document, waiving you of all responsibility should he injure his back while lifting on your premises.
Undoubtedly, your team will have set aside mince pies and countless Quality Streets for Santa to indulge in during his brief visit. But it must be borne in mind that such sweet treats can pose a choking hazard. Therefore, please ensure a trained first aider is always available.
