New research from EcoOnline found that 42% of managers report increased workplace incidents during the holiday season – yet one in ten organisations take no additional measures to address this.
The leading holiday workplace hazards in the UK are fatigue due to heavier workloads or extended hours (38%), weather-related dangers (38%), and heightened stress as employees work to meet end-of-year deadlines (34%). While many businesses implement preventative measures, 11 percent of managers admitted that no extra precautions are taken during the festive period.
Among those who do, strategies include weekly team briefings (32%), access to mental health support (32%), and regular maintenance checks on equipment and machinery (30%).
Technology Against Holiday Hazards
The research suggests that technology could play a role in reducing seasonal workplace risks. Respondents identified safety inspections (40%), training and learning tools (41%), and hazard or risk assessments (39%) as the most effective solutions.
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With 42 percent of businesses reporting higher incident rates during the holidays, 67 percent are increasing their health and safety investments during this period. Over the next three to five years, investment is expected to prioritise emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (39%), mobile safety applications (37%), and safety cameras equipped with analytics (35%).
Helen Jones, Chief Customer Officer at EcoOnline, said, “These findings underscore the added pressure on EHS frameworks during the holiday season. It’s clear that fostering a culture of safety is a two-pronged approach based both in behavioural feedback from employees, and technologically driven supports such as comprehensive reporting, observational tools, and automated responses to incidents.”
Differences in Holiday Safety Spending
The study also looked into differences between the UK and the US in holiday workplace safety approaches. In North America, where regulations such as OSHA govern safety practices, 46 percent of respondents reported increased risks during the festive season against 42 percent in the UK, where regulatory frameworks like COSHH, ISO 45001, and CSRD impose stricter year-round safety obligations.
North American businesses are more likely to increase holiday spending on health and safety measures, with 71 percent reporting higher seasonal investments compared to 67 percent in the UK. These figures suggest that European organisations may benefit from more robust systems that reduce the need for seasonal adjustments.
“While North America and the UK differ in the severity of holiday hazards, the consistency of challenges underscores that these risks are systematic, requiring systematic solutions,” says Jones. “Particularly during high-pressure times of year like the holiday season, leveraging advanced technological solutions, can reduce preventable incidents and create a safer, more supportive environment for all employees.”
Alessandra Pacelli is a journalist and author contributing to HRreview, where she covers topics including labour market trends, employment costs, and workplace issues.
- Alessandra Pacelli
- Alessandra Pacelli
- Alessandra Pacelli
- Alessandra Pacelli
