Have Your Workers Take Safety Home for the Holidays

Off-the-job injuries and fatalities cost the country more than $500 billion, and cost employers more than 200 million lost workdays each year, according to the National Safety Council. And the holidays can be especially damaging, with the upswing in holiday travel and other holiday-related activities.

Make sure that when the holidays are over, you get your workers back healthy, rested, and ready to go back to work. Remind them of these holiday hazards and how they can keep themselves safe.

Safety Off-the-Job

Employers want their employees to be safe at work, of course, but statistics show that they’re far more likely to be injured or killed on their own time. Before they start hanging holiday lights and hitting the road for holiday travel, make sure they have a safe holiday season by being mindful of these common hazards:

Motor vehicles. Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of accidental injury and death in the United States, and accident rates always increase with holiday travel. Take these precautions when you hit the road:

• Make sure your car is in good repair. Be especially aware of safety-critical devices like headlights and taillights, turn signals, brakes, tires, and the horn.
• Drive carefully. The four most dangerous driving behaviors: speeding, aggressive driving, inattention, and drowsiness.

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Falls. Planning to hang Christmas lights? Falls are another leading cause of accidental death or injury off the job. If you’re using a ladder at home, be sure to:

• Inspect your ladder. It should have nonskid feet, straight side rails, no visible damage, and even spacing between the rungs.
• Don’t under-extend yourself. Make sure the top of your extension ladder clears the level of your roof by at least 3 feet so you can get on and off safely. Also, set your ladder feet at least one-quarter of the vertical distance from the wall—for example, if you’re climbing onto a 12-foot roof, your ladder feet should be at least 3 feet from the wall’s base.
• Use stepladders safely. Don’t use a stepladder unless it’s fully unfolded with its braces locked. Don’t stand on its top rung, and don’t climb it on the back side.
• Watch out for electrical hazards. Don’t use metal ladders if you’re working near electrical wires.
• Be a team player. Don’t work alone. If you fall, you’ll want someone nearby to provide first aid and summon emergency help.

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Prescription drugs. Prescription drugs are killing far more Americans than illegal drugs these days. Be sure to:

• Ask about alcohol. You shouldn’t drink at holiday parties if you take certain medications. Ask your pharmacist about alcohol consumption.
• Read labels. Prescription medication should be used only as your doctor indicates; don’t take more medication, or take it more often, than prescribed.

Need another reason to give thanks? Check out these resources from Safety.BLR.com®.