The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is full of joy and celebration. But from stress and germs to distraction and overindulgence, it’s also fraught with hazards that can leave your employees ill, injured, or dispirited.

Although the “official” holiday season lasts just weeks, the dark, chilly months present significant safety, health, and wellness challenges.For this Compliance Report, we canvassed a variety of occupational safety and health experts for antidotes and reliable solutions.

They’re present. But are they thriving?

Renee Moorefield, PhD, is CEO of Wisdom Works Group (wisdom-works.com), which helps business leaders create a healthier workforce and a healthier world. Moorefield assists clients to improve well-being through team building, coaching, and launching campaigns for diverse businesses, including some of the world’s most well-known corporations.

She sees work as an activity in which people can leave more refreshed than when they came. Workplace well-being is an alignment of mind, body, and spirit under the leadership of individuals committed to employee thriving. To achieve well-being, work and workplaces must be designed in a way that helps those at the top get the best thinking, creativity, and decision making out of their people. It starts with relationships. “Making sure employees have a terrific relationship with their leaders can be as impactful to bringing a culture of well-being as quitting smoking,” Moorefield says.

While the holidays can be stressful and exhausting, Moorefield sees several ways employers can use the season to enhance workplace well-being. The first way is to help team members connect with a deeper meaning by encouraging personnel to pause and reflect on the real meaning behind a given holiday, not just its commercial image.

One way to do that is to create a special ritual. For Moorefield and her husband, who do not have family nearby, that means hosting a “Friendsgiving” event before or after Turkey Day. It’s a way to celebrate friendship, especially at this time of year.

Another idea is to use “fun events and active, healthy living” to connect coworkers. “So often celebrations are designed around food and alcohol,” says Moorefield. Instead, she suggests creating opportunities to play, like a family fitness challenge or group caroling outing. Some other ways to bring well-being to the season:

• Use daily reminders to reinforce the spirit of the holidays. Wisdom Works develops 5-to-10-minute refresher messages for leaders to share with their teams. A number of websites offer daily reminders about gratitude and mindfulness.
• Avoid overspending. Moorefield believes that for most people, the season is about the gift of one’s presence, not presents that you wrap. Giving of yourself without going into debt helps guard against holiday-induced stress and regret.
• Focus on boundaries. Bring in a local psychologist or employee assistance program counselor to conduct a lunch-and-learn session on setting boundaries during the holidays. Saying “Yes” to too much hosting (too much eating, too many parties, etc.) is a recipe for stress and exhaustion.
• Don’t forget your needs. Help employees understand what they need to stay centered and healthy despite seasonal demands, such as regular exercise or a daily spiritual practice. If possible, employers should make space or provide opportunities for these activities at work.

Be mindful of temporary worker risks

Many types of businesses—from toy stores to shippers, online retailers, and caterers—staff up for the holidays. Workers’ compensation expert Liz Griggs has advice to ensure these temporary hires don’t suffer injuries that lead to costly workers’ comp claims. Griggs is CEO of WorkWell Prevention & Care (workwellpreventionandcare.com), which serves clients in trucking, retail, and manufacturing.

Seasonal and temporary workers are at increased risk because employers often fail to provide them with the same training offered to regular workers. The result, according to Griggs, is high numbers of injuries and incidents.

One way to reduce risk and financial exposure is to conduct preemployment screening to determine an employee’s fitness for the job. When clients balk at the cost of the service (between $125 and $220 per employee), Griggs explains the value relative to the price of a costly injury, which, when it involves surgery, medications, and lost time, can easily add up to $50,000 or $100,000. What’s more, the likelihood of a worker ever coming back after being out for several months is close to zero. Griggs says it’s penny wise and pound foolish to skimp on prework screening.

WorkWell Prevention & Care helps businesses avoid incidents by conducting ergonomic assessments of the plant or task and then creating detailed job descriptions that address safe lifting and other protections. Griggs and her team also offer on-site conditioning by physical therapists to improve employee strength, endurance, coordination, and flexibility. “With the holidays coming, you can’t afford not to invest in these types of steps and do everything you can to prevent incidents,” adds Griggs.

Whether it’s regular or seasonal workers, Griggs says the key is educating them about risk and how to avoid it. Doing this not only prevents incidents but also shows workers you care about their well-being—a welcome message any time of year.

Two more things to keep in mind

Morgan Bliss is an industrial hygienist, safety consultant, and adjunct professor of safety science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. Bliss, who blogs on safety and health at industrious-hygienist.blogspot.com, reminds employers that many workers simply do not want to be at work this time of year. They’d rather be wrapping gifts, preparing holiday treats, or spending time with family.

As a result, workers are moving quickly through their job duties so they can get done and go home. Bliss warns, “They will have divided attention at work, and they may be fatigued, stressed, and zoned out.” And later in December when school lets out, parents of children old enough to stay by themselves will be worrying about what their kids are doing while they’re at work.

In order to cut through this mental and emotional clutter, make sure employees are hearing and heeding instructions and safety warnings. One way to do that is to ask personnel to repeat back what a supervisor has said. Bliss suggests erring on the side of overcommunicating to compensate for those workers who have “turned off their safety brain” during the holidays.

Keep it relevant

Another way to reach distracted workers is to present safety messages that address both work and home safety. If you’re conducting a toolbox talk on ladder safety, for example, add in some holiday examples, like safely using a ladder to put up a Christmas tree or to reach the attic to get decorations.

Bliss urges employers to make it clear to employees that if they are showing symptoms of illness, they should stay home. Nobody wants to give up their hours, especially during the holiday season. Some people may feel pressured to come in despite feeling ill because they don’t want to let the team down. But nobody benefits when someone infects the rest of the team.

There’s nothing new about the stay-home-if-you’re-sick message. But getting employees to heed it can make the difference between a small number of people out and a business whose November–January productivity is decimated by employee illness.

The nasty reality is that workplaces are breeding grounds for microbes. Employees who travel introduce even more germs, including exotic ones, into the mix. The exposed employee may not get sick, but may successfully pass a virus to one or more coworkers. That’s why it’s so essential that management support employees’ choice to stay home if they have symptoms.

Assuming germs are pretty much everywhere at your plant or office, what can you do to prevent illness from spreading? “It can be as simple as purchasing hand sanitizer for the break room and other places where people gather,” Bliss offers. She says many business owners believe that hand sanitizing is only a priority in healthcare settings. She also suggests offering flu shots and reminding employees about behaviors like coughing into a sleeve.

Makers of Kleenex know their germs

The spread of germs in the workplace is a concern shared by Kimberly-Clark Corporation, which makes brands including Kleenex®, Huggies®, and Scott® brand paper towels. Kimberly-Clark Professional (KCP), the company’s away-from-home division, has conducted research into the spread of germs, especially during cold and flu season. Among the findings:

• 40% of lost work time in the United States is due to colds.
• The average desk has more than 20,000 germs per square inch.
• 99.99% of germs are killed by hand sanitizer.
• 80% of infectious illnesses are spread through hands and surfaces.

KCP found that as many as 85 percent of employees are less productive each year due to minor illnesses like the common cold, flu, and gastrointestinal conditions that increase presenteeism and absenteeism.

Everyone is susceptible to a cold, flu, or stomach bug, which can cause absences of 3 to 5 days and can negatively impact productivity.

Minor illnesses caused by viruses are spread through hands, sneezing, and coughing. Breeding grounds for germs include desks, doorknobs, break rooms, copying machines, door entrances, and restrooms. More than 10 million germs can be found on an average office desk. Research showed that a telephone had the most germs per square inch, considerably more than a computer keyboard or mouse. Toilet seats had dramatically fewer, probably due to the fact that toilets are cleaned more often than other workplace surfaces.

KCP found that the cycle of infection can be significantly reduced when employees participate in a workplace hygiene program that includes using hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. Beyond sending reminders and placing hand-sanitizing stations, employers that want to influence behavior must also educate employees. In addition to reducing reports of illness, KCP says a hygiene program also promotes a culture of health and lets employees know their well-being is your priority.

Holiday stress—Who needs it?

A review of holiday-season hazards would not be complete without addressing stress. Experts at the Cleveland Clinic explain that people often take holiday stress for granted—almost expecting it. “Planning for the holidays can leave us feeling impatient, cranky, and—in some cases—depressed. When the realities of day-to-day life conflict with our efforts to make the holiday season perfect, stress results.”

Successful strategies for reducing holiday stress including letting go of unrealistic goals and not forgetting one’s own needs. Consider sharing the following with your employees:

• Gift giving. Ask people what they want instead of going to great lengths to find the perfect present. Shop early and stick to your gift budget.
• Hosting. Don’t think you have to prepare all your holiday foods from scratch. Ask others to bring their favorite dishes, and prepare and freeze foods ahead of time.
• Socializing. Discuss which commitments and traditions are the most important to you and your family. Don’t overschedule, and allow time to relax and recover after visits. Avoid the crunch by scheduling some visits after the holidays when things slow down.
• Food. Overindulging is not only stressful, it’s unhealthy. Try to continue your exercise and good eating habits despite the parties and office sweets that are so common this time of year. Avoid starving yourself in anticipation of holiday meals and parties, as this can lead to eating too much of the wrong foods. At events and parties, fill most of your plate with healthy choices like vegetables and lean protein. Then take small portions of treats like stuffing, bread, and desserts.
• Time management. Set priorities and let go of goals that seem impossible. Ask others, including spouses and children, for help. Don’t try to complete everything at once, and rest when you need to.
• The holiday blues. Unfortunately, the holidays can be a depressing time for some people. Feelings of sadness, loneliness, and anger can intensify when measured against the joy expected during the merry, jolly season. Here are a few strategies for coping:
• Try a new tradition or activity.
• Volunteer to help someone in need.
• Focus on appreciating the good things rather than focusing on past disappointments or losses.
• Get help if you need it.

Winter wheels

Beyond keeping your spirit and body in shape during the holidays, it’s also important to pay attention to the safety of your vehicle. Ice and snow have already made an appearance in many parts of the country.

According to the National Weather Service, most injuries during winter storms are a result of vehicle accidents. And about one-quarter result from being caught out in a storm.

If your employees have to work outdoors, make sure they’re aware of cold-weather hazards like frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite symptoms include a loss of feeling and a wax-white or pale appearance in the fingers, toes, nose, or earlobes. Signs of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, stumbling, and exhaustion.

To prevent these dangerous conditions, workers should wear layers, including a water-resistant outer layer, hat, and gloves. Encourage them to take frequent, short breaks in a warm, dry shelter; drink warm, sweet (non-caffeinated) beverages; and consume warm, high-calorie foods.

According to OSHA, “Winter driving can be hazardous and scary, especially in northern regions that get a lot of snow and ice.” The agency recommends the three P’s of safe winter driving—prepare for the trip, protect yourself, and prevent crashes.

• Preparation refers to maintaining the vehicle and having supplies on hand like jumper cables, a flashlight, sand or kitty litter, a shovel, a snow brush/ice scraper, flares, blankets, and food and water.
• Protection measures include using seatbelts and child safety seats properly, i.e., never placing a rear-facing child seat in front of an air bag and keeping kids under the age of 12 in the back seat.
• Prevent crashes by avoiding drugs and alcohol, slowing down, staying vigilant for pedestrians, avoiding fatigue, and eliminating distractions, especially cell phones.

Enjoy this special time of year as you help your employees stay focused, healthy, and uninjured.