Christmas doesn’t seem complete without the obligatory Christmas film or two. We’ve been watching a few favourites and wondering where some health and safety good practice could have avoided these festive film mishaps.
Die Hard (1988)
“Welcome to the party, pal!”
Before anyone questions it. Yes, we think this is a Christmas movie. It starts with New York cop John McClane visiting his estranged wife, Holly, in LA, arriving during her office Christmas party at The Nakatomi Plaza.
The only problem is it’s the Christmas party from hell, with some uninvited guests (terrorists no less!) headed up by Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber. McClane realises that it’s up to him to save his wife and her colleagues and so we have two hours of festive action-filled fun. Yippee-Ki-Yay!
Now, as much as we enjoy a Christmas party, we can’t help but think that the necessary risk assessment wasn’t carried out or followed through.
When you’re planning your next office party make sure you have planned the celebration proportionate to the scale of the event and the degree of risk. Within your risk assessment it may be necessary to include emergency and incident plans, should the need arise. It was something that seemed to be missing from The Nakatomi Plaza’s risk assessment.
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
New York department store Coles faces bankruptcy. They need a great Christmas season of sales to survive. When their Santa turns up to the Thanksgiving parade intoxicated, friendly Kris Kringle steps in to save the day. The film then follows an ensuing court case where they have to determine whether Kris Kringle is in fact the real Father Christmas.
Now, had Coles’ original Santa Claus not turned up to work drunk, we may never have got to see this charming story! As Christmas approaches there may well be more festive cheer about the office, but alcohol misuse in the workplace is something that should be avoided.
Employers have a legal duty to protect workers’ health, safety and welfare. Identifying the signs of drug and alcohol misuse will help you manage health and safety risk in the workplace. If you think you have a problem, get in touch.
Deck the Halls (2006)
When suburban family man Steve has a new family move in next door, he clashes with new neighbour Buddy. Buddy is determined to make his house visible from space using a ridiculous number of Christmas lights. Steve has other ideas. In trying to sabotage the electric supply to Buddy’s house his plan is foiled, when to his dismay they have a back-up generator so the house is indeed visible from space!
Whilst the average suburban house won’t have a back-up generator, some businesses will do. When installed, all generators should consider:
- Location
- Fuel shortage
- Cables
- Enclosure
- Operation
- Electrical safety
- A risk assessment
Some generators require a specified generator environmental permit to meet air quality requirements.
If you have a generator question, when it comes to health and safety, we are the experts.
Here to help
Whichever films you’re enjoying this festive season, take the stress out of your business’s health and safety needs by giving us a call today. We know what we’re doing and we are ready to help. Merry Christmas from The Health & Safety Dept!
