Issues & Innovations

When delivered effectively, toolbox talks can be a great way to provide
timely safety training and reminders to employees. Here are our TOP 5 tips
to ensure your toolbox talks hit the mark!

1 TALK DIRECTLY TO YOUR TEAM

Ensure the topic is relevant to your industry and worksite. Focus on
what matters most, e.g. staying safe so they can attend their kid's
soccer game after work and continue providing for their families. Make
sure the talk matters to employees so you keep their interest.

2 KEEP IT BRIEF

We all have limited attention spans and will start tuning you out no
matter how important the topic is if you drag it out. Make only the
necessary points - put additional information in a handout or save for
another day. 

3 STAY POSITIVE!

Incident investigations are a reactive approach to something negative
happening while toolbox talks are to be the exact opposite. Take the
opportunity to proactively encourage safe behaviour. Keep the focus
on what can be done to create a safe workplace.

4 DEMONSTRATE YOUR POINT

Try to make your talk interactive - when the audience is involved they
are more likely to pay attention. Demonstrations and hands on
examples are all effective ways to get your team to participate. It will
help them retain more of the information too!

5 TELL A STORY, NOT A STATISTIC

People believe stats but they remember stories. Storytelling helps
listeners identify with the situation and keep it top of mind, which is
the goal of a toolbox talk. But don't go overboard - keep your stories
brief and make sure they are clearly relevant.

Complacency is a huge factor in workplace incidents.
Toolbox talks are a great way to combat complacency by
discussing hazards and work practices that pose a risk of
injury. Make your toolbox talks engaging and keep important
safety topics fresh in everyone's mind.

THE PURPOSE WHAT TO TALK ABOUT

When conducting a toolbox talk General topics that you may wish to
remember that the purpose is to keep discuss during your toolbox talk might
staff informed of potential hazards, any include accident, incident and hazard
safety and reporting procedures as well as reporting, fire and evacuation procedures
offer training. and any new tools or equipment.

Toolbox talks nurture a safety culture, Tailor the topics to your industry and
involving staff in all aspects of workplace current trends in your workplace. If there
health and safety at an informal level. has been a recent workplace incident,
They encourage open communication. discuss that at your next meeting.

PLAN AHEAD DURING THE TALK

Ensure you hold the toolbox talk Don't overwhelm staff with too much
somewhere everyone can sit down, where information - have shorter, regular
you wont be disturbed by clients or meetings so people leave with a couple of
phones and where everyone can key points to absorb each meeting. If more
concentrate on the meeting. information is needed provide a handout
or flyer with important points.
Ensure you have agenda. Record date,
time and who was present at the meeting. If you conduct any training during your
List key points for each agenda item toolbox talk, make sure this is recorded in
covered and any actions or issues raised. the meeting minutes and that staff
present is listed in the minutes.

AFTER THE TALK

Actions should include what is going to be done, when and by whom. You can record your
meetings on an audio device but make sure actions are available for all to see.

If any staff were absent, make sure they get a copy of the minutes and that they receive
individual instruction and training in what they missed as soon as possible.

Sources: https://safestart.com/news/5-tips-effective-toolbox-talk
  https://www.signaturestaff.com.au/blog/WHS-toolbox-meetings-the-what-why-and-how-explained/
  https://airports.asn.au/web/dev/uploads/others/ASW%202015%20-%20how%20tp%20Run%20Toolbox%20Talks-Safety%20Meetings.pdf