How to ensure your workplace is safe for Christmas

The countdown to Christmas has begun, and here at phs Compliance we’ll be celebrating another year of taking steps to keep you safe in the workplace.

Most of our traditional events, including birthdays, Easter, and summer weddings, have been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. This is why we’re offering our top tips to ensure your Christmas isn’t cancelled, and your workplace is as safe as possible during the festive period.

Do something special this Christmas

We all know that this year has been very unpredictable, one thing you can do to ensure this Christmas is special and runs smoothly is to do checks to make sure your decorations and lights are safe and secure.

The main thing to keep in mind when setting up Christmas decorations and lights is to use common sense. However, if you’re unsure its best to check with an expert. For instance, HSE reported an incident where a retirement village were banned from putting up Christmas lights by their local fire service, due to concerns about escape routes and the capacity of the plug sockets being used.

A commons sense Christmas light and decoration check should cover the following:

• A visual check
  If the lights look unsafe, then they probably are unsafe.
• Untangle wires
  Tangled wires are an electrical hazard and a slip, trips, and falls hazard.
• Ensure plugs are not overloaded
  If a plug is overcapacity it could start a fire.
• Lights and decoration should not obstruct any health and safety signage or exists
  All exits need to remain clear of obstruction in case of emergency.
• Ensure all decorations are securely fixed
  Make sure nothing will fall on the head of someone walking past.
• Use suitable ladders if you need to reach high areas
  If you can’t hang something safely, don’t hang it at all.

Consider PAT testing

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Support with fire safety

When putting up your decorations, you should ensure you’re not blocking any escape routes or fire safety times. While doing this, you could also take the time to do a general assessment of your fire safety. Is your signage appropriate? Are your alarms working? phs Compliance can test your fire alarms and extinguishers, and can also supply and install new systems.

Get a fire safety quote

Check your heating system

When Christmas is on the way, so is the cold weather. If the heating breaks during the winter, it could affect staff and their ability to work. Therefore, it’s probably best to do a maintenance check during the colder months. A heating maintenance check will ensure your heating system and related components are not releasing harmful gases and are working efficiently. phs Compliance have a team of nationwide technicians who can provide this service.

Enquire about a heating check

Why choose phs Compliance?

At phs Compliance we offer nationwide servicing across the UK, employing hundreds of qualified technicians. We can provide your business with a complete compliance and building engineering solution that will ensure your employees, staff, and visitors, are as safe as possible.

Our experts are available to discuss your compliance related needs, and we’re always happy to provide no obligation quotes.

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