Your company’s safety program is important to its success and so are your employees. The safety program was designed and implemented to prevent work related injuries, motor vehicle accidents, damage to equipment, reduce insurance costs and to ensure that every worker goes home safely at the end of the day. But what about when employees go home? Does your company promote off-the-job safety too?

Did you know that statistically workers are more likely to be injured off-the job? There are no regulations requiring employers to protect workers when they go home or to promote and encourage off the job safety, but it is just as important to your company as it is to protect workers on the job.

Promoting off-the-job safety can easily be tied into the on-the-job safety program. For example, the hazard communication program can be used to remind employees to use chemicals they have in their homes and garages safely (e.g. wear gloves and eye protection).

Reminding an employee that it is important to set up and use ladders properly at home is just as important to their well being as it is on the job. Some companies may go the extra step by offering defensive driving courses, first aid training, fire extinguisher training, a general home safety program or even a hunter safety course to employees and their family members.

There may be a cost, but there also a savings — start with lower workers’ compensation because it is not uncommon for a worker’s compensation case to start with an off-the-job injury. Health insurance costs can be lowered because similar to other insurance premiums they are affected by the number of claims. Needless to say, the cost of a worker showing up with an injury or not showing up at all for work reduces production, affects quality, interrupts the schedule, etc.

Bring on the Holiday Festivities!

It is time for people to decorate their homes, visit friends and relatives, celebrate the holidays and welcome in the New Year. It’s an important time of year to think safety. Statistics show that falls, fires, electrical hazards and driving accidents increase during the holiday season.

Although fall-related injuries occur throughout the year, fall-related injuries increase during the holiday season (November 1 to January 31) due to individuals at work and at home decorating for the holidays. More than 5,000 people are treated each year in emergency rooms for injuries related to installing holiday decorations. Approximately 43 percent of injuries are caused by falls from ladders with males being 40 percent more likely than females to be injured.

More than 5,000 people are treated each year in emergency rooms for injuries related to installing holiday decorations. The majority of the falls from ladders occur when stringing and removing holiday lights.

The majority of the falls from ladders occur when stringing and removing holiday lights. Other falls from higher elevations take place when somebody climbs on the roof to set up sleighs, reindeer, snowmen and/or other ornaments. To make things worst, when working outside to install lights and other holiday decorations, many parts of the country are covered with snow and ice.

Fall-related injuries also occur when individuals use chairs, tables and stools to stand on when hanging holiday decorations. In addition, trips and falls occur when trip hazards are created by wires left lying on the floor and other decorative objects are placed around the house.

Managing falls around the holiday season boils down to following some simple rules starting with using the right ladder for the task at hand and using it properly. Next, don’t stand on chairs and tables (that is not what they are for). Stools are made to climb on but people often over reach and misuse them when they are in a hurry to get the decorations up. Finally, keep wires and decorations under control and out of the way so nobody can trip on them. Prevention strategies should focus on raising family awareness about falls and promoting fall prevention safety practices during the holiday season.

Decorative Greenery

When decorating with greenery, be sure it is fresh. When transporting trees home by car, place it in the trunk and secure the lid. If the tree is too large to fit in the trunk, carry it on a utility trailer or in the back of a pickup and be sure to secure it. If transported on the roof of a car, secure the top, bottom and middle so that it does not fall off. If it does fall, it could cause a vehicle behind to swerve and crash.

Before setting up the tree, cut off approximately 2 in. from the base of the tree and place it in a sturdy stand that holds water. Keep the tree stand full of water and check it daily because freshly cut trees absorb water like a sponge. Always locate the tree and other decorative greenery at least 5 ft from radiators, heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves that could dry and/or ignite the tree. Never use candles on or near a tree.

When using an artificial tree, make sure it has been tested and marked fire resistant by a recognized testing organization. Artificial trees are a safer option.

Decorative Lighting

As for decorative lighting, purchase only UL listed lights.

Outside lighting must be rated for outdoor use. Inspect all light strings for cracked or broken sockets, frayed wires, loose connections or damaged plugs. Many consumer grade extension cords are of the light-duty variety (18 gauge wire) so don’t try to plug too many strings into the extension cord. Also make sure the extension cord is also UL listed. Don’t run electrical cords under rugs or carpeting. If you must run an electrical cord where someone could trip on it, purchase a flat wire guard designed to reduce tripping hazards. Never use staples that are not designed for use with electrical wire to secure light strings and wires to a building or woodwork. Metal staples cause short circuits and hot spots in the wire.

Candles, matches and lighters should always be kept out of the reach of children. Curious little hands can create major fires. Never leave burning candles unattended or where children can reach them. Place candles where they cannot be knocked over or contact draperies, trees, paper or other combustible materials. Candles are nice, but lights are safer.

There are new products on the market that are safer, like LED lights that don’t get hot and use a lot less electricity. There are candles that use LED lights and batteries and they look and smell like holiday candle.

Homes and offices should be equipped with smoke detectors and at least one fire extinguisher per floor. The holiday season is the perfect time to replace batteries in smoke detectors and/or to check that they are working. Check the gauge on all fire extinguishers too. All adults in the household should know how to use a fire extinguisher.

Holiday Parties

Many of us attend office parties and gatherings with family and friends where alcoholic beverages are often served.
It is probably not necessary to tell everybody that drinking and driving don’t mix. We all know that but many people drink and drive anyway. DWI arrests can cost a lot of money and an accident can get you or somebody else killed.
It is important to realize that most people will fail a blood alcohol test after consuming two ounces of liquor, two glasses of wine or two 12 ounce beers. Many people will exceed the limit after one drink. It takes approximately one hour for every alcoholic drink to pass through the digestive system.

When attending parties, don’t drink and drive. Ride home with a designated driver or take a taxi. When sponsoring a party, ask guests who will be the designated drivers when they arrive.

If guests drink, help them get home safely with a designated driver or call them a taxi. Some companies go the extra step at company parties and arrange for a shuttle service to drive employees home from the office party, which is an excellent idea and considerably cheaper than losing an employee.

Off the Job or On the Job

Give a holiday gift to your employees by taking the time to promote off the job safety at your company. It is important to your company all year long so don’t just do it during the holiday season. Remember, managers who care about their workers want them to enjoy life and working for a company that cares about the workers and their families.
The holidays are a time to have fun and celebrate with family and friends and to be thankful for the gift of life and happiness that is bestowed upon us. Promote safety on and off-the-job and don’t let a foolish mistake spoil the holidays for your employees, somebody else or you. Encourage employees to utilize common sense, pay attention to fall hazards, know how to prevent fires, use electricity safely and not to don’t drink and drive. Happy Holidays to all from the membership and staff of the National Utility Contractors Association.

George Kennedy is NUCA Vice President of Safety.