During the holiday season, there is often an increase in both year-end work demands and opportunities to engage in celebratory festivities in the workplace. From hitting your quotas to planning company holiday parties — and everything in between — your responsibilities may shift as the end of the year draws near. It’s important to maintain a healthy focus on staying productive while also heeding the advice of workplace safety tips during the holidays, given the unforeseen hazards unique to this time of year.
At Doeren Mayhew Insurance Group, we have time-tested experience in helping businesses minimize risk with customized insurance offerings that protect your valued employees — and financial assets. We know how important it is to prioritize safety to prevent work-related injuries and other incidents that may lead to costly claims. From safe decorating and food safety to seasonal employee training and snow removal, there are many ways to keep personnel safe and joyful during the holiday celebrations.
Safe Decorating
While it’s exciting to decorate the office for the holidays, it’s important to avoid accidental slips, trips, and falls. Only stand on sturdy step ladders or other equipment that will help prevent falling. Be sure all lights and other decor that require electrical cords do not have exposed wiring or other defects before use. Never lay lengthy cords in the path of high volume foot traffic, and prevent fire damage by keeping flammable decorations away from heat sources.
Food & Drink Safety
Company holiday parties often include potluck style gatherings or elegant off-site dinners. If handling food to be shared at the office, proper hand hygiene — as well as cooking, serving, and storing behaviors — are paramount in ensuring safe, healthy experiences for all. Be sure food allergies are known to those making, ordering, or serving food to your employees. Also, drinking is known to contribute to work-related accidents during the holidays, so while some companies offer alcohol at holiday parties, moderate consumption should always be encouraged.
Seasonal Employee Training
Maximize productivity while ensuring workplace safety by providing comprehensive training for seasonal — or new — employees during the holidays. Make sure the entire staff is trained in company policies and procedures that impact both business outcomes and workplace safety, thus increasing efficiency and increased protection against costly workplace incidents. This is particularly important when training employees who execute tasks that involve manual labor or require operating heavy equipment.
Snow & Ice Removal
The holidays fall during the winter months when rain, snow, and ice may cause hazardous conditions for workers on their way to and from work. Create a safe environment for staff and visitors alike who walk in and out of your office building with salted lots, driveways, and sidewalks. Snow and ice removal — as well as regular shoveling — is an important part of winterizing your business to minimize risk this time of year.
Special Event Insurance
Some of the best planned holiday parties experience unforeseen mishaps that may prove costly during the holidays. Before you put a deposit down on a venue, it’s wise to secure special event insurance to minimize potential financial losses. This type of supplemental insurance protects policyholders against fees associated with event cancellations as well as personal and property liability claims.
While the holidays are a time to celebrate with friends, family, and employees, it’s important to minimize risk associated with celebrating in the workplace. At Doeren Mayhew Insurance Group, our trusted advisors help businesses like yours achieve peace of mind that your valued employees — and financial assets — are safe and protected with customized insurance offerings.
Contact us today to learn more, or to schedule a consultation.