Holiday mindset at work could be fatal

In the lead-up to Christmas, SafeWork SA is urging all working South Australians to guard against a ‘holiday mindset’ that could potentially lead to harm.

Acting Executive Director Bryan Russell says many industries are especially busy at this time of the year, but the risk is ever present that a casual attitude to safety could creep in due to the impending holiday break: “We know that hospitality, warehouse, road transport and retail businesses are very active in the weeks before Christmas, while manufacturers and the building trades are trying to finish work before the extended break.

“That extra pressure to meet deadlines already heightens the potential risk of harm, but things can become much worse if a complacent attitude to safety accompanies that pressure.

“Both of these factors can encourage people to take time-saving risks or not follow established procedures rigorously, which in turn can result in a death or injury ruining what should be a festive time of the year.

“It’s also timely to remind people that their OHS obligations extend to on-site Christmas parties, and care should be taken to ensure these do not get out of hand and result in incidents that cause harm to staff or others.

“To that extent, the supply and consumption of alcohol needs to managed and never be allowed to compromise the core operations of any workplace.”