Beware the onset of the Silly Season for Accidents, OSH warns

Wednesday 17 December 2003

As the build up to Christmas and summer holidays intensifies, we start to enter into the 'silly season' for workplace accidents, warns Occupational Safety and Health (OSH).

"We understand that for most of us, it is a pretty full-on time of year", says OSH General Manager Bob Hill.

"With so much going on, people are often stressed or do not have their mind fully on the job - and this tends to lead to an increase in work accidents."

Mr Hill says that both employers and employees are under a lot of pressure at this time of year.

"People are rushing to meet deadlines, and worrying about getting work finished before Christmas. At the same time, they are often doing more partying and drinking, and less sleeping than they normally would. It's a bad combination safety-wise, which too often leads to people getting hurt. We recommend that people take extra care in the week before Christmas, and try not to let their socialising affect their work."

OSH wants to make sure that both employees and employers get to Christmas safe and well, and for that to happen, people have to keep their minds on the job, says Mr Hill.

Another danger time is when people reluctantly return from their summer holiday break.

"People are often there in body, but they have left their brain on the beach", says Bob Hill. "If people are not giving work their full attention, that is when thing can go wrong."

Often too workplaces have only a skeleton staff on duty while others are still on holiday, so people have to cover their workmates' jobs, says Mr Hill.

"We advise people to have a good break, and relax well, so that when they come back to work, they are refreshed and ready for the new work year."