Starting Back Safely After the Christmas Shutdown

After the Christmas shutdown, the first day back on site is critical.

Conditions may have changed, equipment may have been left idle, and routines can slip after time away. Taking the time to reset safe work practices helps prevent injuries and incidents.

Below are practical steps to help you and your team return to work safely and confidently after Christmas.

Site and Equipment Safety:
Before work begins, take time to reassess the site and check all equipment.

Site review
🔹 Perform a full site assessment on day one
🔹 Check scaffolding, fencing and general housekeeping
🔹 Ensure any temporary power or gas supplies are turned off or secured

Tools and equipment
🔹 Inspect all hand tools, power tools and machinery for damage or wear
🔹 Remove faulty equipment from service
🔹 Ensure PPE such as gloves and eye protection is available and in good condition

Secure items
🔹 Account for and secure all hire equipment
🔹 Check gas bottles are turned off
🔹 Secure parked machinery, including using wheel chocks on slopes

Hazard identification
🔹 Re-identify site-specific hazards, even on familiar sites
🔹 Review electrical risks, hazardous chemicals and SDS
🔹 Check for unstable ground or changed site conditions
🔹 Put appropriate controls back in place

Personal and Team Safety
Returning to work after the Christmas break is not the time to rush.

Ease back into work
🔹 Allow time to adjust to physically demanding tasks
🔹 Take regular breaks to reduce fatigue
🔹 Watch for slips, trips and manual handling risks

Review safety training
🔹 Refresh safety procedures and site rules
🔹 Conduct toolbox talks and site inductions
🔹 Pay extra attention when new staff are joining the site

Look after mental health
🔹 Plan your day and prioritise tasks
🔹 Avoid overloading yourself or your team
🔹 Manage decision fatigue by working steadily and methodically

Key Actions for Day One Back
Focus on three simple steps to set the tone for safe work after the Christmas shutdown.

Inspect
🔹 Check all tools and equipment for wear
🔹 Carry out preventative maintenance
🔹 Issue replacement PPE where required

Re-orient
🔹 Assess site conditions that may have changed since the shutdown
🔹 Refresh awareness of site hazards
🔹 Communicate new or updated safety rules through toolbox talks

Plan
🔹 Prioritise tasks to avoid rushing
🔹 Allow extra time to complete work safely
🔹 Schedule adequate rest breaks, especially on hot days
🔹 Ensure workers stay hydrated throughout the day

A safe start after the Christmas shutdown sets the tone for the weeks ahead.

Master Plumbers members can access on-demand support and advice from our WHS team, along with exclusive discounts on Master Plumbers Safety Systems (MPSS). Learn more about MPSS here.

Call us on (03) 9329 9622 or click here to become a member today.