In a special bulletin from Bismarck, North Dakota the state’s Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) office confirmed that, “In response to a request postmarked from the North Pole, it has granted Santa Claus a special two-day workers’ compensation certificate.”
The bulletin noted that Santa Claus said he wanted to ensure he was complying with the workers’ comp laws before, “commencing to fly my reindeer and sled to deliver toys to all the good little girls and boys of North Dakota.”
“We are happy to grant Santa this certificate,” said Mark Armstrong, Public Relations Manager for WSI. “And we are providing Santa Claus with some ideas on operating safely as he travels from roof-top to roof-top and descends down those chimneys.”
He described them as follows:
Santa has been asked to wear his safety belt as he travels on his sled and because the sled is not covered, wearing safety goggles is recommended as well. Proper lifting techniques for carrying the many boxes and packages is also important. “We also think it might not be a bad idea to securely tie off on the sled before descending down the chimney,” said Armstrong.
The good little boys and girls of North Dakota can also help Santa by ensuring that there are no trip hazards from the fireplace to the Christmas tree. “And if kids who leave hot chocolate for Santa could please remember to put lids on those cups, it might prevent the hot liquid from burning Santa in his haste to and fro.”
This is the second year that WSI has granted Santa Claus a special two-day workers’ comp certificate, good for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Since Mr. and Mrs. Claus run their North Pole operation as an equal partnership, coverage for Santa would be optional. “But WSI appreciates that Santa is setting a good example by asking to opt in for the coverage,” Armstrong concluded.
Ed. Note: Special thanks from the IJ to Mark Armstrong for passing along this important bulletin, and for making our holidays a bit cheerier.
Topics Workers' Compensation
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