Ah, behold the winter wonderland! The snow’s here, the bells are ringing and amidst all the good cheer, workplace hazards do their merry dance. Snow turns surfaces into impromptu ice-skating rinks. And those dazzling decorations? They’re not just festive — they're potential troublemakers itching to create firework shows or tripping galas.
Friends, safety is always in season. So, let’s talk Home Alone! Kevin McCallister’s antics keep us in stitches, but has anyone caught the subtle safety tips hidden in his mischief? Grab your popcorn, settle in and let this holiday classic show you how Kevin could’ve been the unsung safety guru.
- Emergency contact information
What should you do in the event of an emergency — like, say, if your young child is inadvertently left home alone? Call emergency services! It’s the same on campus, with our Protection Services team operating 24/7, 365 days a year. They’re reachable for all emergencies at 613-562-5411. Program the number on your Teams speed dial (where enabled), just in case!
- WorkAlone
It’s too bad the McAllisters didn’t have the technology we have today. For those unavoidable circumstances where you have to work alone, use the WorkAlone SecurUO app feature to set up push notifications on your phone! Additionally, check out uOttawa’s Working Alone Procedure to plan the work safely.
- Elf on the Shelf
Early in the movie, we see Kevin climbing his brother’s shelf, with a hazardous outcome. Learning from the movie, the safety team encourages everyone to store heavy items on the lower shelves of bookcases or shelves. This not only reduces the risk of falling objects, but also of injury from improper lifting techniques. Check out this resource on lifting basics!
- Slippery surfaces
We get it. It’s winter — there’s snow and ice. And while the ice comes in handy to deter would-be robbers, slippery surfaces violate Ontario Regulation 851 s. 11. Slips and falls are a leading cause of injury. Learn more about uOttawa snow removal and grounds operations.
- Emergency evacuation procedures
In the film’s climax, we see Kevin with a brilliant (but also highly suspect!) plan to evacuate the house. Our protagonist ziplines his way to his treehouse, a sign of great preparation! You can find evacuation route maps posted in all campus buildings. It’s always best to have a backup plan in place.
- Ergonomic shovels
“Old Man Marley,” the mysterious next-door neighbour “walks up and down the streets every night, salting the sidewalks…” That’s a lot of pushing, twisting and lifting. You must use appropriate tools for the job. Work procedures, including using the appropriate tools, are an important consideration for all workers and supervisors performing their tasks, including at uOttawa.
- Appropriate footwear
One of our would-be robbers ends up without any footwear and suffers the painful consequences of a puncture injury from a nail and stepping on an assortment of glass tree ornaments. While these items are themselves hazards, CSA Grade 1 protective footwear (the kind with the green triangle) would have at least helped in these circumstances. It’s important to make sure you select appropriate attire and wear it properly prior to starting any work, including at uOttawa.
- Psycho-social hazards
In the film, we see Kevin’s own family bullying and insulting him (“les incompétents”). This leads Kevin to experience various emotions, including anger, grief from being bullied, a sense of abandonment from being left behind and anxiety having to protect his homestead. At uOttawa, Policy 67a, which prevents harassment and discrimination and is implemented through our Human Rights Office, is something that Kevin could have used!
- Biological hazards
In the store when Kevin is buying his (American Dental Association?) toothbrush, we see “Old Man Marley” again. This time, he bangs his hand on the countertop. It’s already bandaged and slightly saturated in blood, which isn’t entirely hygienic. The surface should be cleaned and sanitized, too.
- Hazards…everywhere!
From tripping hazards to blowtorches to sharp objects, Kevin creates his “funhouse” to protect his homestead. But these are all hazards that should be eliminated. If they can’t, appropriate mitigation measures must be implemented to reduce the risk of harm. The University has resources to manage risk, including the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Procedure and the Risk Assessment Form. The form documents the manager’s or supervisor’s assessment and mitigation measures to protect against injury and illness.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this satirical review as much as we did writing it. We’d like to remind our readers that, no matter who you are, you have a legal and moral duty to ensure that your team complies with health and safety policies and legislation. Fortunately, Procedure 14-1 sets out the responsibilities of all workplace parties.
We hope you all have a safe and happy holiday!
Keep the change…
