Every Christmas HSE list their “Twelve Myths of Christmas”. This list consists of twelve of the most commonly held myths related to health and safety during the festive season whilst at work.
They have reported that health and safety is being wrongly used as a reason for preventing harmless standard festive activities taking place. To stop this needless ruining of the festive spirit, their 12 Myths of Christmas should help dispel some of these practices.
Today we’re looking at the first on their list “Workers are banned from putting up Christmas decorations in the office”.
Contrary to the belief of some, putting up Christmas decorations does not have to be a health and safety risk or need to be carried out by a qualified person. However, HSE say that every year they get information from companies who have denied their staff a bit of festive cheer with Christmas decorations in the office.
We, alongside HSE agree that this needs to be addressed. Christmas decorations are safe enough so long as steps are taken when putting them up. Here at PAT Testers we have our office tree adorning the main office area and the smaller offices each have little trees of their own. Even HSE manage to put up a tree in their offices themselves without any health and safety problems.
All that is needed is a bit of sense and the provision of some step ladders instead of allowing workers to balance on wheelie chairs.
So if you’re carrying out any PAT work in offices this season, remind them that it is ok to put up festive decorations.
Written by Sara Thomson
