Safety and health on construction job sites are crucial, and toolbox talks can help ensure there is communication regarding these topics.
Sam Meenasian, operations director of USA Business Insurance and BISU Insurance, offers some tips on www.constructiondive.com that can help companies conduct effective toolbox talks.
- A toolbox talk should be as simple and straightforward as possible. Make it a short presentation covering a single aspect of health and safety.
- Make sure the talk is short and snappy. Productivity is key on any construction site, and keeping toolbox talks to 10-15 minutes in length is helpful.
- When possible, ensure the toolbox talk is relevant to the main tasks being handled on the day of the talk to have maximum effect on attendees.
- Keep it outcome-based; a toolbox talk should have purpose and an express intent. Outcomes should be focused and remain on topic.
- Construction site toolbox talks often focus on safety only and not health. However, worker health also is important, and an effort must be made to cover occupational health topics regularly, such as mental health.
- Hold the talk away from noise and distraction and make sure everyone can hear you.
- Visual media should be used during toolbox talks when possible and where it adds value.
