However, it is important to remember that workplace Christmas parties are still work events, and employers have a legal responsibility to ensure the health and safety of their employees.
Health and Safety Considerations
Choose a suitable Venue
When choosing a venue for your Christmas party, it is important to consider the health and safety of your employees. The venue should be large enough to accommodate all your guests comfortably, and it should have adequate fire exits and emergency exits. The venue should also be well-lit and free of hazards.
Provide suitable and sufficient seating. This will help to reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Ensure the floor is kept clean and free of obstructions. This will help to reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls.
Serve Food and Drinks responsibly
If you are serving alcohol at your Christmas party, it is important to do so responsibly. You should provide plenty of non-alcoholic beverages and food options. You should also encourage your employees to drink in moderation and to pace themselves. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to several health and safety risks, such as slips, trips, and falls, as well as violence and aggression. It is important to be aware of these risks and to take steps to mitigate them. Monitor the behaviour of your employees. If you notice any employees who are behaving inappropriately, take steps to address the situation immediately.
Avoid serving food which may be likely to cause allergies. If you are unsure whether any of your employees have allergies, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid serving foods that are common allergens, such as nuts, shellfish, and dairy.
Be aware of the risks of food poisoning. Food poisoning can be a serious health risk, so it is important to follow food safety guidelines when preparing and serving food at your Christmas party. This includes cooking food thoroughly, storing food properly, and avoiding cross-contamination.
Consider Transport
If your Christmas party is not being held at your workplace, you may consider providing adequate transport for your employees. This will help to reduce the risk of employees driving home under the influence of alcohol.
Plan for Emergencies
Ensure there is a contingency plan in place. It is always a good idea to have a contingency plan in place in case of an emergency. This plan should include details of how to evacuate the venue safely and how to contact the emergency services.
Ensure first aid supplies and a trained first aider are readily available. This will help to treat any minor injuries that may occur.
Other Factors to Consider
In addition, you should designate a person responsible for health and safety. This person should be responsible for monitoring the situation at the party and addressing any health and safety concerns.
Review the workplace health and safety policy. Ensure that your health and safety policy covers workplace parties.
By following these tips, employers can help to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries at their workplace Christmas parties.
The iProtectU health and safety software provides:
- An inspection and Audit App which allows for safety inspection of the workplace and associated report
- eLearning on a wide range of EHS topics
- Scheduling functionality for managers to send eLearning, risk assessments and documents out to all staff via the software with tracks completion and compliance
- Risk assessment templates covering event management
- Management system to document control the policy on event management
- Method Statement module for the creation of working instructions
- Legal register that provides legislation guidance on event safety
- Incident investigation module that tracks incidents involving events both with an app and via desktop
- Hazard observation app where staff can report and record any concerns regarding events to the organisation
- Asset management App ensuring assets are recorded in the software
