SAFETY MINUTEToolbox Talk

Toolbox talks are an essential reminder of the potential hazards associated with the planned work and to accordingly execute control measures prior to the start of work.

Important Points

Toolbox talks are short, daily discussions or presentations by supervisors with their employees. They generally last no longer than 5-10 minutes, or so. A toolbox talk is focused on one specific topic and addresses it in simple terms. While it need not be about a safety topic, it is not uncommon for safety to be the topic.

A “toolbox talk” provides an opportunity for a supervisor to emphasize the importance of a particular issue or procedure regarding work activity tasks to be performed, and for the employees to ask questions or make constructive comments.

Toolbox talks address actual and anticipated safety concerns for scheduled work activity. The talks provide an opportunity to relate specific safety concerns with the job to be performed.

General safety and task-specific concerns provide a continuous source of topics for discussion. Consequences of unsafe actions are effective in getting workers to understand and remember important safety lessons.

Short discussions / communications review the important points without making the topic overbearing and boring.

Toolbox talks should be held daily and address the work task, the hazards associated with the task and control measures to perform the work safely.