During the holiday period it’s more important than ever to minimize your manufacturing risks and keep your workers safe
Many businesses close for a certain amount of time over the holidays, which can mean strict deadlines to get the work finished before the break, and it can be common to see an increase in injuries in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas. There could be several factors that play a role in this, including fatigue from working longer hours to finish a job; there could be temporary workers to make up extra shifts who are not adequately trained; increased social events during the holiday season make employees tired and run down; increased spending during this time causes stress and distraction.
As an employer, there are steps you can take to ensure that your employees are still following standard safety practices during the season.
- Ensure that all recent hires and temporary workers have received all of the safety training appropriate to their position.
- Before the holiday rush is a great time to retrain all of your employees on safety practices in the plant.
- Check that all safety resources are up-to-date and available to employees in clearly visible areas in case they are needed in an emergency.
- It’s important when working a repetitive job or working long hours to take frequent short breaks to keep your mind and your body fresh. Ensure your employees are taking the necessary breaks.
- Put up safety posters to remind employees of safety rules.
- A visit from an occupational or physical therapist can be helpful in determining areas where employees can make changes in the way they move when they work which can cut down on injuries.
- Have that holiday party. Enjoying some fun with fellow employees can be a great stress reliever, but make sure that everyone knows what behaviour is acceptable at the event.
Christmas will be here before you know it. And there’s no better time than the present to get your workplace and employees ready for the holiday rush. With a little preparation and diligence, you can minimize the manufacturing risks that your business is exposed to. Contact your insurance adviser at PSC Insurance Brokers for more information.
