The OHS laws apply to a wide range of workplaces—from factories to accounting firms, construction sites to mines. And yes, they even apply to a toy workshop such as Santa’s. So how safe is Santa’s workshop? Is he taking all reasonable measures to ensure the health and safety of the elves? Results of Safety Inspection Santa’s workshop falls under the jurisdiction of the Workers’ Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (WCB). In 2007, the WCB issued a report on safety at the workshop. That year, safety officers visited Santa’s workshop a total of 11 times to ensure all workers were following safety regulations. Its findings: Santa routinely ensures the safety of every one of his workers, even though production demands are high. The North Pole-based operation not only builds gifts for millions of children—and those who are kids at heart—worldwide, but also runs a highly sophisticated, top-secret global distribution system. Yet Santa’s workshop has never reported a workplace injury. “Their Occupational Health and Safety team has all angles of the operation covered,” says the WCB. “All the reindeer have adopted energy efficient lighting systems, Santa wears complete fall arrest gear during all flights, and all elves are required to wear safety vests while working in all reindeer and sleigh take-off and landing zones.” So how does your company’s safety record measure up to Santa’s? Safe Holidays Everyone The Insider wishes all of you a happy—and safe—holiday season! Robin L. Barton Editor Safety Compliance Insider