Posted By Steve Granger
Council
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
St Nicholas (aka - Father Christmas, Santa and ‘the big bloke with whiskers’), the contractor in question, specialises in out of hour’s seasonal work - probably to avoid tax and be out of reach of the Enforcing Authority. The time of year introduces a foreseeable risk to anyone working outside subjecting them to inclement weather conditions and slipping hazards. And a clear reference to stockings indicates a house of multiple occupations where extreme care should be taken when selecting and using any second parties to conduct work. It is evident that no predetermined time has been established for the contractor to arrive, just a ‘hope’ that the signing in register would be completed is wholly inadequate.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
Children require a separate risk assessment with particular emphasis on their psychological health, night visitors may lead to distress and anxiety attacks. ‘Sugar plums’, synonymous with brown sugar, smack, crack, ice and ‘e’ indicate a prior knowledge of drug taking within the proximity of the workplace. Admission of sleeping on duty and admission of nocturnal antics requiring a cap and handkerchief introduces concern for both welfare and morality of the children.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter;
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
A foolhardy reaction such as this could easily have resulted in a secondary incident, less haste and more speed – (not the narcotic type of course) is the correct approach to the scene of an accident. The noise heard from behind closed and shuttered windows identifies sound levels that may have caused Noise Induced Hearing loss to those involved or near by so health checks may now be needed.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
It is no wonder that the crash took place with snow on the ground and ice under foot. There is no mention of competent banksman being deployed and the meteorological office should have been consulted before work began, with appropriate traffic route gritting. The reference to horse power provided by animals introduce the risks associated with zoonoses not to mention livestock disease transmission across the travel route of such a delivery contractor.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
A speeding driver trying to gain control of his vehicle and staff raises the question of suitable and sufficient supervision of the operation and may be the a root cause of such and accident involving peripatetic and outdoor workers.
"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
Use of day contract foreign labour is increasing, particularly where no employment records are kept or hours are minimal and infrequent. Non-English speakers need to be informed of controls such as restricted access, rules regarding horseplay and they should be warned of significant risks such as falling from heights and this must be done in a way that they understand.
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
A clear impression at the pace at which the work was being done emerges. The contractor should be given sufficient time to accomplish the task safely and preparation work should not be left until the last minute. It is clear that the overloaded vehicle was carrying unsecured cargo, which could fall, or at the very least cause the steering to become erratic.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
Night work is notorious for discipline problems; add to this a cocktail or hazards from working at height and confined spaces with a real risk of fire or noxious fumes it is fortunate that the injuries were not more significant following such a fall. The contractor should have entered the premises by a safe route or demonstrated a safe alternative involving personal protective equipment if this was the only reasonable way in which to work.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
Suitable and sufficient for one thing may not be so for another - clothing for out door work will certainly be a hindrance when climbing though a narrow aperture. Health hazards such as chimney soot warrant an assessment under the COSHH Regulations and manual handling techniques described like this indicate another key assessment has been missed.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
Nasal colouration, and facial contortion with more evidence of white powder around the face provide irrefutable evidence of substance abuse.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
Failing to police established rules, such as smoking restrictions is the beginning of a progressive decline in standards. Occupiers should be vigilant not to leave alcohol or other temptation in a visible place for those with a weakness to over indulge.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
In the season of goodwill, humour can quickly turn into verbal assault and the equalities etiquette are all too easily lost after only moderate consumption. The legacy of lust will last longer than the festivities so office party antics and amour should not be tolerated amongst staff or visitors.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
Visitor management and building security is the key to caring for both corporate assets and employee personal effects. High jinx and mischief around this time often results high cleaning bills so it is wise to prepare with a stock of appropriate materials.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!"
Visitors and contractors need to be signed off and escorted off the premises in an orderly manner. Their work needs to be checked and they should not be allowed to just clear off calling to the wind. Documents should be kept for a suitable period of time after completion, not destroyed or given to the contractor, as their interpretation is likely to be for the lowest cost option and thus a risk of disappointment if goods do not match expectations.
As well as the vehicle crash, slip and fall from height this incident resulted in serious physical and psychological trauma to at least one of the contractor’s employees. Facial injuries (serious damage to nose causing it to swell and show signs of internal contusion) were sustained before departure from the contractor’s depot. As no record was entered into the accident book at the correct time it would not be unusual for the event to be linked to the rooftop fracas thus adding to the potential claim list.
With those around us determined to forget all we have taught them with any excuse for revelry is it any wonder that the safety world can never take time off to enjoy the party?
Word copies by return email for £1 donation to a charity of your choice (please tell me so I can tot up).
Merry Christmas to all especially Mr Jeremy Clarkson (initials?)
('Twas the Night Before Christmas or Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas by Major Henry Livingston Jr. (1748-1828) (Previously believed to be by Clement Clarke Moore)