SAFETY MOMENT, DECEMBER 22

Keep decorations away from exits

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Safety moment, December 22

The holidays bring deadlines, short days, cold weather, parties, travel and a lot on everyone's mind. Rushing to finish before the break can lead to skipped steps. Decorations, extra deliveries, cords and ladders show up in places they normally are not. OSHA has no specific standard for holiday safety; the general duty to train still applies.

SAFETY MOMENT

December 22

The hazard

The holidays bring deadlines, short days, cold weather, parties, travel and a lot on everyone's mind. Rushing to finish before the break can lead to skipped steps. Decorations, extra deliveries, cords and ladders show up in places they normally are not. OSHA has no specific standard for holiday safety; the general duty to train still applies.

The action

Exit routes must be kept free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings or other decorations. Keep paper decorations and dry trees away from exits, heaters and hot lights. Do not stack boxes, gift deliveries or party tables in hallways and doorways that lead out. Keep fire extinguishers in plain view and easy to reach. (29 CFR 1910.37(a)(1))

ASK THE CREW

Where do decorations, deliveries or cords end up blocking our exits or walkways?

From the talk: Holiday season safety. Read it in full, free, with the questions and the sign-in sheet.

1926.21

HOW TO USE IT

How to give a safety moment

Gather the crew where they work, before the shift or the meeting starts. Read the hazard out loud.
Ask the question and let two or three people answer. What they say about their own work counts for more than what you read.
Name the action and point to one place on today's job where it applies, so everyone knows what to do differently.
Write the date and the names on a sign-in sheet.

A safety moment is short and does not replace the full talk. When you want to go through a topic with the crew, pick a free toolbox talk.

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