Please note: the following article was developed for educational purposes only and covers a wide variety of general workplace safety concerns and considerations, some not relevant to workers’ compensation coverage.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As we gather round with family, friends and colleagues to share in the holiday cheer and reflect on our blessings, we’re also setting our sights on New Years’ business resolutions.
With all the peace and joy being spread around this season, it's easy to get swept up in the festivities. But small businesses can’t afford to let workplace safety slip through the cracks as they navigate the long winter months ahead.
With the help of some of our favorite Christmas movies and Pie’s 2024 small business safety survey of 1,034 small business owners (defined as companies with 1-500 employees), we’re bringing you a holiday reminder: safety matters–especially now.
From the hustle of year-end sales to the unpredictability of winter weather, unforeseen hazards and common injuries can happen even during the most magical time of the year. Take a moment to review these risks and make sure your business stays safe, so you can focus on what really matters this holiday season.
Though he’s brought most of his injuries on himself, Harry Lime of the iconic Wet Bandits duo is denoted as one of the most injured characters of all time within the Christmas classics–Home Alone. Determined to get into the McAllister home, posing with his sidekick Marv as plumbing and heating experts from Oh-Kay Plumbing & Heating, Harry faces Kevin’s wrath. Who could forget that an M will forever be emblazoned on his hand and losing his hair (and hat) to a torch when he breaks in the back door.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC) - Fire and burns is the number six leading cause of preventable injury related death. Burns are also the second highest payout on average for workers compensation at around $53,000. When asking small business owners what their most unique injury claim was in our survey, burns were a common response in our survey of small businesses as well. For example, one owner told us of a Harry Lime-esque incident in their restaurant when “one of my cooks dipped their hand into still hot caramel and got second-degree burns”.
Avoid being burned this season—literally. Take time to implement fire safety protocols like regularly checking extinguishers and training employees to handle flammable materials. Equip workstations with heat-resistant gloves and establish clear procedures for handling hot substances. These precautions can keep your business from feeling the heat.
Old man Parker, Ralphie’s dad, is frequently chased in A Christmas Story by a pack of "at least 785 smelly hound dogs" owned by the Bumpus family, the Parkers' neighbors. On Christmas Day, the dogs ruin the Parkers' dinner by breaking through the fence, romping through their kitchen and eating their turkey, forcing the family to go to a Chinese restaurant to celebrate Christmas.
OSHA reported between 2015 and 2021 that more than 788 severe animal-related injuries were caused by mammals, insects, arachnids and reptiles. 67% of these injuries were traumatic while 28% were due to poisoning or allergic reactions. Animal injuries come in all shapes and sizes. Our small business survey uncovered a wild west of injuries from baby skunks, spiders and broken noses by birds, when asked about their most unique injury claim they’ve received.
Don’t let unexpected visitors ruin your holiday feast—or your workplace. Secure your premises to prevent animal intrusions. Educate employees on how to safely respond to wildlife encounters, and stock your first aid kits with supplies for bites, scratches, or allergic reactions. Being prepared means you can keep the holiday chaos to a minimum.
Mr. Clark Griswold is one character you just can’t leave off a Christmas injury list. His perseverance to have the best Christmas possible, leads to some of the most memorable silver screen moments. With little help from his son Rusty, Clark aims to cover every inch of their home in lights. While stapling to the roof shingles, he catches the edge of his flannel with a staple, ultimately losing his balance and taking the ladder backwards with him into a tree, then to the ground.
Accidents relating to slips and falls topped our list of small business safety nightmares this year when we asked small business owners to list their biggest workplace safety nightmare/worst case scenario, and this type of injury is more common than most of us may think. According to research from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), there are over 130,000 emergency room-treated injuries and more than 300 deaths related to ladder use in the U.S. each year — on average, 2,000 people experience a ladder-related injury every day.
Prepare your workplace to minimize risks this holiday season. Conduct a winter-specific hazard assessment to identify potential dangers, and equip employees with non-slip footwear and ladder safety training. Keep walkways, entrances, and work areas clear of snow and ice, and use anti-slip mats where needed. Taking these steps ensures a safer environment for everyone and keeps the holiday spirit bright.
The most important vehicle this time of year is Santa’s sleigh. The jolly man with the bag has modernized in the movie Elf due to a decrease in Christmas spirit. Papa Elf, as master tinker, has invented the Kringle 3000 engine to give him enough power to get around the world in just one night. Unfortunately, it falls off in Central Park in New York City and Buddy happens to be the only one who knows how to fix it. Too bad commercial auto doesn’t exist in the North Pole.
Auto incidents were a frequent fear of small business owners when asked to list their biggest workplace safety nightmare/worst case scenario, and for good reason. According to Automotive Fleet magazine, the annual accident rate for commercial fleets is around 20%, with some industries, such as pharmaceuticals, even higher. That means two out of ten businesses will have an employee involved in a commercial auto accident every year. Motus reported that vehicle accidents cost companies $57B in 2017.
Keep your fleet sleigh-ready this season. Set up a vehicle maintenance schedule to ensure your business vehicles are prepared for winter weather. Train employees in defensive and winter driving techniques, and make sure your commercial auto insurance policy is up to date. A little preparation will help your team stay on the move—without needing a Christmas miracle.
Spirited may be a newer Christmas classic, but has some really important messages for kids and adults alike - especially always being aware of your surroundings. Clint’s unfortunate demise is brought about when some magic goes awry and a busy street is brought back to life while he’s standing in the middle of the road.
According to the NSC - In 2022, pedestrian vehicle incidents resulted in 325 work-related deaths, 16,970 Days Away from Work (DAFW) cases, and 11,640 Days Away from Work, Job Restriction, or Transfer (DART) cases. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roadway incidents involving motorized land vehicles increased 9.3 percent between 2021 and 2022, leading to a series high of 1,369 fatalities. Pedestrian vehicular incidents were down 3.6 percent in 2022 with 325 fatalities, which is the lowest number of fatalities since 2018.
This season, don’t let distractions catch you off guard. Brighten up walkways and parking areas with proper lighting, train employees to practice situational awareness, and encourage the use of reflective clothing for outdoor tasks. Keeping everyone alert will ensure your team doesn’t get caught up in the hustle and bustle.
No one heads to a company Christmas party and anticipates being held hostage. That particular evening at Nakatomi tower is one for the history books, whether you believe it’s a Christmas film or not. John McClane has to take the non-traditional route to save the day (and comes in the top 5 for most injured within a Christmas film), but does so with some help from Sgt. Powell and Argyle.
The Pie Safety survey showed an interesting trend of small businesses concerned with being attacked by strangers and workplace violence, when asked to list their biggest workplace safety nightmare/worst case scenario. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Over the 2021-2022 period, there were 57,610 nonfatal cases of workplace violence requiring days away from work, job restriction, or transfer (DART), which occurred at an annualized incidence rate of 2.9 cases per 10,000 full-time equivalent employees. Health care and social assistance experienced the highest counts and annualized incidence rates for workplace violence of any private industry sector over the two-year period from 2021-2022 with educational settings and real estate coming in next on the list.
Prepare for any scenario—even the unexpected. Develop a workplace violence prevention program, train employees on de-escalation techniques, and install security measures such as cameras and alarms. These steps can ensure that, unlike John, your team feels safe and supported this holiday season.
In a similar vein, The Grinch went to great lengths to ensure Whoville couldn’t celebrate the holidays in true Who fashion, stealing all of their gifts and decor in the night. It took his heart growing three sizes to realize the error of his ways and to realize he could be accepted by a community such as the Who’s.
According to the CDC, there are an average of 46,000 robberies each year in the workplace. To add to this, the US Chamber of Commerce says they found that 75% of employees have stolen from their employer at least once. Outside of the workplace, robberies increase 20% overall during the month of December.
Safeguard your workplace treasures. Reinforce security by installing alarms, secure locks, and surveillance systems. Conduct regular audits to deter theft, and train employees to recognize suspicious behavior. With these measures in place, your business can celebrate without worry.
Though we find most of the injuries in Christmas films to be comedic, many of these can be a reality for small business owners and their employees- especially those working in the elements day in and day out. Putting ourselves in these characters' shoes helps us realize the training, pre-planning and other steps that can be taken to mitigate risk and ensure a safer work environment and give us some peace of mind to enjoy the holiday season to the fullest.
This holiday season, as you celebrate with joy and festive cheer, take a moment to reflect on the safety measures you have in place for your business. Are there any areas that need to be checked twice? Are your employees prepared to handle any unexpected challenges that might arise? By taking the time to answer these questions, you can ensure that your small business stays safe and secure — allowing you to enjoy the holidays without the stress of preventable issues. Let’s make sure your business is wrapped up tight with the right precautions, so you can focus on what matters most this season!
Pie Insurance commissioned Yougov PLC to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1034 US small business owners, as defined as companies with 1-500 employees. Fieldwork was undertaken between 19th - 27th February 2024. The survey was carried out online.
Thanks for reading! This content is intended for educational purposes only and does not imply coverage under workers’ comp or other insurance offered through Pie Insurance Services, Inc. Please consult an agent or attorney for any questions regarding applicability of insurance coverage in all circumstances.
