External Operations Experience Update: Workplace Holiday Safety Department of Energy Operating Experience Work Group December 9, 2014 Larry Stirling, Office of Analysis (AU-23) 1

Workplace Holiday Safety Fire Safety Considerations for Holiday Décor – Do not use any type of decoration in your office that has an open flame. – If your Christmas tree is metallic, do not place any types of lights on it at all. – Never place staples or nails through strings of lights, power cords, or extension cords. – Do not connect too many strands of lights together. – Make sure that all illuminated items are turned off when the office is closed so there's no risk of a fire breaking out when the building is unattended 2

Workplace Holiday Safety Verify that all of your fire safety equipment is in proper working order Make sure that your smoke detectors are working, and verify that the fire extinguishers are fully charged and easily accessible. 3

Workplace Holiday Safety Keep all relevant OSHA regulations in mind when deciding how to decorate your workplace for the holiday.OSHA regulations Avoid placing Christmas trees, gifts, or freestanding decorations in heavily trafficked areas where people might run into them or trip over them 4

Workplace Holiday Safety Make sure that your holiday décor in no way compromises the ability of workers and visitors to exit the workplace in the event of an emergency Do not place any type of decorative items in exit corridors or on the sprinklers Verify that none of your decorations block exit signage or fire safety equipment. 5

Workplace Holiday Safety If you'll be holding an office holiday party where alcohol will be served it's essential to make transportation arrangements for guests who should not drivedrive This is true whether the party is held at your place of business, in someone's home, at a restaurant, or at any other location. 6

Workplace Holiday Safety Christmas Light Safety Tips Verify Proper Rating - Bargain lights aren't a good deal if they pose a fire hazard. Only use lights that have been tested and rated by Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) or Intertek (ETL Semko). Strings of lights that have a safety rating are clearly marked, both on the packaging and with labels attached to the electrical cords. 7

Workplace Holiday Safety Check for Fraying Use as Directed Choose Locations Carefully Hang Carefully 8

Workplace Holiday Safety Once the Lights are in Place – Select Extension Cords Wisely – Place Extension Cords Properly – Turn Lights Off When Away – Bulb Replacement 9

Workplace Holiday Safety Metal trees and holiday lights don't mix Consider child safety Observe OSHA Standards at Work 10

Workplace Holiday Safety Health Tips – Wash your hands often – Cover your cough – Stay Warm – Manage Stress – Travel Safely – Food Preparation 11

Workplace Holiday Safety If you are traveling – Get an automatic timer for your lights. – Ask a neighbor to watch your home, shovel snow, and park in the driveway from time to time. – Don't forget to have mail and newspaper delivery stopped. If it piles up, it's a sure sign you're gone. 12

Workplace Holiday Safety If you are out for the evening – Turn on lights and a radio or TV so it looks like someone's home. – Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave, even if it's just for a few minutes. – Don't display gifts where they can be seen from outside. 13

Workplace Holiday Safety If you are shopping Stay alert and be aware of what's going on around you. Park in a well-lighted space, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card whenever possible. 14

Workplace Holiday Safety Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket. Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated. 15

Workplace Holiday Safety Your vehicle – Always lock your vehicle and store your items out of sight – use anti-theft devices – Don’t leave your vehicle running 16

Workplace Holiday Safety At home: – Be aware of strangers – Break down your boxes 17

Workplace Holiday Safety Enjoy the season! Happy holidays! 18

Workplace Holiday Safety Some External Links Love to Know: day_Safety day_Safety Texas Department of Insurance: /ghsptpsholidays.pdf /ghsptpsholidays.pdf CDC: Holiday Health and Safety Tips:

Workplace Holiday Safety Be Food Safe It's Turkey Time: Safely Prepare Your Holiday Meal It's Turkey Time: Safely Prepare Your Holiday Meal Lighting Up the Holidays Greenery in the Scenery Poisonous Decorations Holiday Christmas Trees: Holiday Ladder Safety Printout 20

Workplace Holiday Safety State Office of Risk Management (Texas): safety-in-the-workplace safety-in-the-workplace Holiday Safety Tips one-page summary of holiday safety tips. A collection from the Environmental Health and Safety and Risk Management Departments throughout University of Wisconsin System; Holiday Safety Tips 21

Workplace Holiday Safety Images for safety tips for the holiday at work: or+the+holiday+at+work&sa=N&biw=1280&bih= 776&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ei=mhB- VPKuPMScgwTZ6IHwDg&ved=0CFwQsAQ4Cg or+the+holiday+at+work&sa=N&biw=1280&bih= 776&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ei=mhB- VPKuPMScgwTZ6IHwDg&ved=0CFwQsAQ4Cg Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund of North America: ber-2005/holiday-season-raises-safety-concerns/ ber-2005/holiday-season-raises-safety-concerns/ 22

Contact Information: Larry Stirling Office of Analysis (AU-23)