Toolbox talks are an accessible and simple way of informing workers about specific health and safety issues. They focus on matters which relate to certain working practices and are usually delivered in an informal, workplace setting, rather than in a training room.
Short and to the point, if delivered regularly, they are a great way of ensuring workers are up-to-speed with all safety rules and regulations.
Short Sessions
The best time to carry out toolbox talks is at the beginning of a shift. All workers should then be present and feeling relatively fresh, enabling them to take in what is said.
A toolbox talk should never really last longer than a few minutes. They are the equivalent of brief revision sessions at the start of a college class.
This type of talk sometimes referred to as a ‘tailgate session’ or ‘safety chat’ is especially useful in the construction industry. Workers in this sector are often confronted with varying safety situations from day to day, depending on the type of work they are doing.
Brief talks of less than five minutes are a great way of reminding workers about the specific safety requirements of the tasks they will be carrying out on that particular day.
A toolbox talk is also a great way of dealing with any questions workers may have about specific issues. Addressing them as a way of winding up a toolbox talk means that issues are addressed in a respectful way.
It also means workers are given the correct advice, rather than relying on unofficial tips and hints from colleagues.
Reinforcing Ideas
Holding regular toolbox talks also creates a strong impression that your company cares about safety. A lax attitude towards health and safety issues can cause problems, especially on construction sites.
Holding toolbox talks helps to reinforce to workers that safety should always be their prime consideration. It helps to create a culture where health and safety issues can be discussed rationally, and where the correct procedures are accorded proper respect.
Talks such as this also provide a good opportunity for more senior members of the work team to pass on good practices; they can help to provide informal mentoring to young workers and to inculcate a culture of safety in trainee employees.
Learning Implications
Some toolbox talks can also be a useful part of studying for construction-related training courses. On-the-job training is a key part of the construction industry’s practices, and learning about safety issues just before putting them into practice is a great way of fixing concepts in the mind.
For shift managers and foremen who are short of inspiration when it comes to delivering effective toolbox talks, there are a number of resources online that they can use.
A range of good-quality websites such as the HSE official website can provide toolbox talks resources that will inform employees, and help to keep them safe.
Toolbox talks may seem like small things, but they add up. Reminding workers of responsibilities and regulations just before they work keeps things fresh, and keeps people out of danger.
Their focus on specific issues makes them a great way of reinforcing a culture of safety on work sites, and of reminding workers before they start a shift that their responsibilities do not lie simply with getting the job done quickly.
