The Twelve Myths of Christmas
Christmas is a special time of year. Even so, it doesn't stop health and safety being – wrongly – cited as a reason for preventing pretty harmless activities from going ahead. Not only does this needlessly ruin the festive spirit but it also trivialises the true purpose of health and safety: protecting people from real risks at, or connected with, work.
In the run up to Christmas we will publish the top twelve festive myths, gifted to HSE from media reports and correspondence received.
These twelve myths cover:
Myth: Workers are banned from putting up Christmas decorations in the office
The reality
Bah Humbug! Each year we hear of companies banning their workers from putting up Christmas decorations in their offices for 'health and safety' reasons, or requiring the work to be done by a 'qualified' person.
Most organisations including HSE and local councils manage to put up their decorations, celebrating the spirit of Christmas without a fuss. They just sensibly provide their staff with suitable step ladders to put up decorations rather than expecting staff to balance on wheelie chairs.
Myth: Indoor Christmas lights need a portable appliance test (PAT) every year
The reality
Lots of companies waste money in the false belief they need to test their Christmas lights annually, or even don't put them up at all! By following a few sensible precautions, such as checks by the user for obvious signs of damage, every workplace can switch on safely and sparkle!
Myth: You can't throw out sweets at pantos
Myth: Santa needs a seatbelt in his sleigh
Myth: Second hand toys can't be donated for 'health and safety' reasons
Myth: Traditional shopping centre Christmas trees scaled back or replaced by artificial alternatives
Myth: Seats removed from shops – despite weary Christmas shoppers wanting to rest their feet
Myth: Carol singers are a health and safety risk
The reality
Surely no-one would object to hearing the dulcet tones of carol singers serenading us in the run up to Christmas!
Well, in the past few years we've heard of insurance companies producing comprehensive 'health and safety' guides for people wishing to take part in this age old tradition, and parish councils ordering groups of singers to apply for a permit in order to stop them upsetting home-owners.
Well-intentioned pieces of advice such as 'don't sing in the road' and 'don't carry large amounts of cash' are not health and safety requirements, they are simple common sense.
Myth: Children are banned from throwing snowballs
Myth: If you clear snow from outside your business or home you are likely to get sued
Myth: Health and safety prevents people putting coins in Christmas puddings
Myth: Elf n Safety ruins Christmas!
The reality
Don't believe everything you read!
Over the past 11 days our mission has been to 'sleigh' the most commonly encountered festive health and safety myths. Yet, the myth we hear most often of all is that 'elf n safety' has ruined Christmas.
We hear of events being cancelled, Santa stopped from parading in his sleigh, and festive displays being banned, all blamed on 'Health and Safety' reasons.
Health and safety laws exist to provide safeguards against people being seriously injured or made unwell at work, not to hamper fun activities.
So on that note, we'd like to say Bah Humbug to all the festive killjoys out there and a very happy Christmas to everyone else!
To read the full article and find the reality behind all the twelve myths click here