1. Working at heights without fall protection
Hazard: The elf is perched high off the ground on a ceiling fan, a bookshelf or the top of a Christmas tree. There, he faces a fall from a height that could result in a serious injury.
Safety tip: Any work above ground level requires proper fall prevention or protection. Even falls from low heights can be serious. Ensure ladders are set up on stable surfaces, use prevention and protective devices (such as fall arrest systems) when necessary and never climb on unstable surfaces (yes, even if you’re magical). For more information, consult the Working at Heights Procedure.
2. Electrical hazards from holiday lights
Hazard: The elf is tangled in a string of holiday lights, potentially leading to an electrical shock, fire hazard or slip/trip/fall.
Safety tip: Inspect all electrical decorations for frayed wires, damaged plugs and broken bulbs. Refrain from overloading outlets or stringing too many decorations in series, and keep water (and elves) away from electrical sources. Untangle cords and run them along walls to reduce the risk of creating trip hazards. Other general precautions on electrical safety can be found in the Electrical Safety Procedure.
3. Improper use of equipment
Hazard: The elf is riding the paper shredder like a sleigh. That’s not a proper use of the equipment, and he’s exposing himself to sharp edges and potential entanglement in the blades.
Safety tip: Only trained personnel should operate equipment and machinery. Keep fingers, clothing and curious elves away from moving parts, in-running pinch points and nip hazards. Guarding exposed parts helps to prevent unintended contact.
4. Slips, trips, and falls
Hazard: The elf has spilled glitter and artificial snow all over the floor, creating a slippery surface that can lead to slips, trips or falls.
Safety tip: Keep walkways clear and dry. Clean up spills immediately. Report the situation to Facilities (ext. 5000) or Protection Services (ext. 5499) if additional assistance is required.
5. Poor ergonomics
Hazard: The elf is hunched over a tiny laptop, awkwardly balanced at a candy cane desk. Repetitive strain injuries or musculoskeletal disorders can occur with consistent use of an improperly set-up workstation or task.
Safety tip: Whether you work in an office, a lab or a maintenance shop, it’s important to properly set up your workstation and use good material handling practices to prevent injuries. Learn more about how to properly set up your workstation, be it in an office or lab, as well as ergonomic best practices for manual material handling by visiting Ergonomics on VirtuO.
6. Chemical exposure
Hazard: The elf is mixing incompatible hazardous materials in the lab, producing a toxic cloud. The elf, and others in the lab, could inhale toxic fumes and suffer respiratory or other heath effects.
Safety tip: Store, handle and manipulate hazardous materials in accordance with their safety data sheet. Ensure hazardous materials are clearly labelled in accordance with WHMIS, and follow safe work practices using appropriate hazard controls and risk mitigations. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling hazardous substances. For more information about hazardous materials, visit WHMIS 2015 and Vertére.
7. Fire safety
Hazard: The elf is roasting marshmallows over a candle and sitting too close to a space heater on a cold winter night. This can lead to a fire.
Safety tip: Keep flammable materials away from heat sources. Never leave open flames unattended. Ensure fire extinguishers (and fire hose cabinets) are accessible and equipment is at the ready.
8. Blocked emergency exits
Hazard: The elf has built a fort in front of the emergency exit using gift boxes and wrapping paper, leading to an obstructed evacuation route.
Safety tip: Always keep emergency exits clear and marked. Review emergency response plans and ensure everyone knows what to do in case of emergency. For more information on emergency preparedness, visit Are you ready?.
9. Psychological safety, mental health and fatigue
Hazard: The elf is working overtime, appearing in a new spot every morning without sufficient rest and chances to disconnect from their mischievous activities. This may lead to burnout.
Safety tip: Even elves need time away to reset. Promote work-life balance among your team, encourage breaks and support psychological well-being. Learn more about psychological health and safety and the 13 factors that contribute to a healthy work environment.
Final thoughts
While the Elf on the Shelf is a beloved holiday tradition, the elf’s antics can serve as a humorous reminder of the importance of workplace health, safety and emergency management. By identifying and addressing these hazards, both at home and in the workplace, we can ensure a safe and joyful season for everyone — elves included.
Have a wonderful (and safe) holiday!
