A Safe Christmas with Henchman and The Christmas Decorators | Case Study

‘All the same health and safety policies that are used for gardeners or landscapers apply to us, but we use them to light trees, hang motifs, and install giant inflatable reindeer’ -  Jamie from The Christmas Decorators

Whilst Christmas is a time to enjoy with your loved ones, behind the magically decorated public spaces lies a great deal of planning, preparation, and strict adherence to health and safety measures for professional decorators.

A survey revealed that 2.6 million people have fallen from a stool or ladder while hanging up Christmas decorations. Hurting yourself at home is extremely unfortunate. But, when you suffer a fall at work, it affects your physical wellbeing and can have serious consequences for your finances and professional commitments.

The Christmas Decorators share with Henchman the risks that arise during the festive season.

“There are many risks when it comes to decorating for Christmas, as much of the work, such as hanging lights or baubles, is done at height. We face various hazards, including working on uneven ground in poor weather conditions and lighting tall trees where conventional ladders make it difficult to reach the top. This makes it crucial for us to implement strict health and safety procedures and use high-quality equipment specifically designed for the job. The Henchman PRO Tripod Ladders are essential as they allow us to fully adjust each leg to accommodate uneven terrain, steps, and slopes.”

Professional Preparations for Christmas

Prepping for Christmas takes a month or so, right? Not for the professionals. It takes a whole year to get the desired ‘wow’ effect. Jamie shares, “Planning is everything. We are always asked, 'What do you do for the rest of the year?' The answer is a lot! After taking down six weeks of installations in two weeks in January, we have a very short break. Then we are back in the warehouse sorting stock and preparing for the next year. Soon after, new enquiries start coming in, leading to site visits, customer meetings, and proposals to write.”

Surveying the Site

“Part of surveying the site is to identify where we will get power from, how it’ll be distributed, and access points for installing all the decorations. We know all the job details before we leave the warehouse at Christmas to be fully prepared, safe, and ready to delight our customers.”

Jamie says, “It's essential to conduct several health and safety checks before stepping foot on the ladder to ensure the safety of the user and others around. We always check the ladder's condition to ensure it’s free from dirt and debris, that the mechanisms and locks are working, and that all relevant safety labelling is clear and followed. Working in pairs when using ladders is common sense. As we decorate trees, we are up and down by the minute with various tools and decorations, so the extra pair of hands is invaluable. It’s also the right thing to ensure maximum safety for our installers.”

Weather Forecast: a British winter 

December isn’t the easiest month when it comes to weather forecasts. It can be cold, snowy, icy or wet. This all must be considered when you prioritise your and your team’s safety (whilst hanging up the glistening lights).

"The conditions we work in present numerous challenges. We work in rain, snow, ice, and quite often on grass to light up trees. All our staff are well-trained and very experienced. If, after they conduct a safety assessment, the conditions are not safe, we will rearrange with the client to return on another date.” 

Christmas Tree x Henchman Tripod: Perfect Match

Not only are The Christmas Decorators fans of the joy Christmas brings, they also love their Henchman PRO Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladders.

“Our Henchman PRO Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladders are vital for decorating the awkward shapes of fresh and artificial Christmas trees indoors and outdoors. They are lightweight for easy transportation, very sturdy, and comfortable to work on for prolonged periods. The tripod ladders allow you to reach places you couldn’t with standard ladders. If you think of the conical shape of a Christmas tree, the tripod ladder fits closely to ensure safety and prevent overreaching, especially at the top of the tree. The tripod adjustable legs allow for perfect positioning.”

Looking for an all-year-round Christmas gift for yourself and your team? Check out our Fully Adjustable PRO here.