What Is A Toolbox Talk?

The safety of your workers is and always should be your top concern. When workers have no opportunity to consider the ways they need to be safe on the job, that’s when accidents occur. Bad accidents. It is vital that you give your workers the opportunity to discuss safety, and the best way to do that is a Toolbox Talk.

(See why construction safety software is a good investment for your company.)

What is a Toolbox Talk?

A toolbox talk (also known as a Safety Meeting or TBT) is a two-part process that provides your workers with training and reduces your company’s liability if there is ever an incident. The topics are different each week and involve tasks the workers complete regularly or equipment/tools they use.

Some examples of topics may be: setting up ladders, floor and roof openings, hard hats, lifting techniques, nail guns, propane, etc.

2 Components of a Toolbox Talk:

Toolbox Talks can be any length of time, but there are only two parts to it:

1. The Talk

• The safety talk itself is 2-3 paragraphs of safety information about a specific topic, written by a vetted safety provider
• The talk is usually completed onsite where it is most relevant to the worker, near the equipment/tools (hence the name toolbox talk)
• The best TBTs include pictures, a demonstration, and a translator if necessary
• You can find many TBTs for free online and from professional trade associations

2. The Record

• If you don’t record the fact that the talk happened, in the eyes of the law and OSHA, it never did.
• Record the date, location, and topic of the TBT
• Have every member that attended (including yourself) sign and print their name on the record
• Attach the talk  to the record and save it at the office for at least 7 years

What if My Workers Never Participate in a Toolbox Talk?

Most construction workers hate paperwork. Every minute they spend on paperwork is a minute they aren’t making money. You may have to hound them to host safety meetings and get the records back to you. There may be things that go wrong, there may be pieces that are missing, the writing may not be legible, the talk didn’t go the way it should, and so many other possible setbacks.

So What’s the Solution?

You need to start doing toolbox talks right away. They are the base for every safety program ever designed, and you do not want to be caught empty handed.

You can sign up for a SafetyHQ account, and we will do the leg work for you.

• SafetyHQ provides you with your own library of safety talks, with photos, demonstrations, and translations, available on any device
• SafetyHQ captures all the data you are legally required to track using required fields, so nothing is forgotten, and everything is legible
• SafetyHQ saves the talk immediately, making it easy to store and find later
• Most importantly, SafetyHQ is quick and EASY TO USE, which increases the chances that your crews will actually do it

Need more safety ideas? Try out a Job Site Hazard Assessment.