A toolbox talk is an informal discussion or meeting conducted on any of the topics related to health and safety. Toolbox talks are conducted as part of the overall safety awareness program of the organization.
Tool Box talks are referred by different names, such as Tailgate Safety Meeting, Safety Time-outs, Safety Meeting, Crew Safety Briefings, Safety Moment, Safety Minute, Weekly Safety Meeting, Monthly Safety Topic, Safety Share, etc, but they all mean the same.
Tool Box meetings unlike other training are not conducted in classrooms or conference halls but on the worksite. As such, there is no rule for conducting toolbox talk on specific periods of the day or work shift, but it is generally conducted at the start of the work shift.
As we mentioned it is an informal meeting or discussion, so there is no specific format to this meeting but it is generally suggested to prepare pointers for the topic of discussion prior to the meeting, to avoid wastage of time.
The practice of Tool Box meeting started in the construction industry but now it is not restricted to any particular industry and is practiced in various industries.
Generally, Foreman or supervisor is expected to conduct toolbox meetings but it can be conducted by any of the team members. Also normally duration for toolbox meetings varies from 5 to 20 Minutes.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Tool Box Talks
- Tool Box talks help spread awareness related to health and safety topics in an organization. Maintaining Health and safety in an organization is not one man’s job, hence regular refreshment about health and safety topics becomes inevitable. Tool Box talks help spread awareness through regular review and training.
- Provides vital information to the workers on accident causes, types, and preventive actions. Learnings from previous failures are spread through toolbox talks and it indeed helps the team be better prepared for similar adverse situations.
- Introduces the team to new rules and best practices in health and safety.
- Improves connection between workers and supervisors. It helps build mutual respect.
- Helps create a healthy culture in the organization. Toolbox talks help improve peer-to-peer communication.
Tips to Effectively conduct Tool Box Talk
1. Prior preparation
Although toolbox talks are an informal discussion prior preparation is always helpful. It helps keep meetings focused. Also, it makes sure important points of discussion are not missed.
Prior preparation does not mean spending hours preparing but basic preparation. Just making a list of major points to be discussed in a meeting will also help.
2. Simple language
Avoid using jargon or tough languages during toolbox talks. The main motive of such discussion is to spread awareness and for that to happen people should be able to understand whatever is being discussed in the meeting.
3. Story telling
We all love stories, it is a fact we can’t deny. We love it even more if we can relate to those stories. Toolbox talks are no different. Workers will be more involved if toolbox talks are in the form of stories.
How do you like to watch a 3 hr movie without a single yawn and 5 minutes into reading a textbook you are yawning every second? Story is the difference.
So in total to improve engagement, supervisors shall try to keep toolbox talks in the form of a story.
4. Keep it Short
Human attention span is very less and is reducing day by day. As per studies, the human attention span is currently around 8 seconds. Attention span means how long on average humans can concentrate in one go. This attention span was 12 seconds in 2000. So it is shrinking and shrinking fast.
Considering above stated facts, it is important that any meeting is kept crisp and short to make the process effective.
5. Use Demonstration
Our retention rate for visual events or visual data is way more than any other type of data form.
You can’t learn how to drive a car just by reading about it. You need to try your hands on a real car. Demonstration helps engrave concepts in a more permanent way.
Moreover, demonstrations help improve audience engagement. More workers participate if a demonstration mode of communication is being used.
6. Keep it Positive
Toolbox talks shall not turn into a blame game. If some accident is discussed in TBT, the focus shall be on actions to prevent such an event in the future, not on blaming a particular person for the accident. Keep the focus on what can be done to create a safe work environment.
We, humans, have a tendency to turn complacent if not reminded of important measures on a regular basis. Organizational safety is no exception. Toolbox talks act as an amazing tool to regularly remind workers of small but important measures for maintaining health and safety as per organizational requirements.
7. Stick to one topic
To keep toolbox talks effective it’s important that you restrict each session to a specific topic only. Multiple topics in one session create confusion. Single topic sessions help in clarity of implementation.
Examples of Tool Box Talk
EXAMPLE 1: FIRE SAFETY
Basic fire safety knowledge is an important skill that can save your life on or off the job. Here we will break down the basic characteristics of a fire, important fire safety tips, what to do if you find yourself involved with fire, and some discussion points for your group.
Characteristics of Fire
- To support fire, you must have; HEAT, FUEL, OXYGEN, and SUSTAINED CHEMICAL REACTION
- A small fire can grow out of control in as little as 30 seconds.
- A room involved with fire can have a temperature of 100°C at floor level and 600°C at eye level. In less than 5 minutes a room can flashover.
- Fire starts bright but will quickly turn the room pitch black from releasing smoke and toxic gases.
- Be familiar with your surroundings and evacuation routes!
Fire Safety Tips
- An important fire safety tip is to look for and eliminate any potential fire hazards before they become a reality!
- Know where pull stations and extinguishers are located.
- Time is the biggest enemy, get out of the building!
- If a fire, pull the nearest fire alarm if possible, if not, call for help from a safe location outside.
- If safe, close all doors behind you as you leave the building.
- Don’t use the elevator for evacuation because the shaft can act as a chimney. Elevators also present an entrapment hazard if they fail.
- Never return to a burning building.
- Follow Emergency Exit Plan
Group Discussion Topics
- Identify all “high-risk” areas in your facilities.
- Where are the nearest fire extinguishers, pull stations, and your building’s primary and secondary evacuation routes?
- Can these areas be modified to eliminate or lessen the potential risk?
- Most fires occur between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Brainstorm what causes this and how you could address these issues.
- Identify if anyone has seen any close calls or fires during their tenure. How were those situations handled, good or bad?
- Ask the group to list any unanswered fire safety questions or concerns that they may have.
EXAMPLE 2: FORKLIFT SAFETY
Preparation
- Secure the load so it is safely arranged and stable.
- Do not carry damaged merchandise unless it has been secured by wrapping or banding.
- Center the load as nearly as possible.
- Use caution when handling off-center loads that cannot be centered.
- Distribute the heaviest part of the load nearest the front wheels of the forklift.
- Do not overload. Know the stated capacity of your forklift and do not exceed it. Only by keeping within the weight limit can you operate the forklift safely.
- A forklift’s capacity is rated for a specified load center. If the load is off-center, improperly distributed, or oversized, it may exceed capacity and unbalance the forklift.
- Use the load extension backrest.
- Approaching the Load
- Approach the load slowly and carefully, stopping 8 to 12 inches in front of the load.
- Place the truck squarely in front of the load with the forks at the correct height. Set the direction control to neutral.
- Do not raise or lower the forks unless the forklift is stopped and the brake is set.
Fork Position
- Level the forks before inserting them into the pallet.
- The forks must be placed under the load as far as possible.
- Slide the forks into the pallet until they are fully under the load. The forks should be at least two-thirds the length of the load.
- Be careful that the forks do not go through to the other side where pallets are closely stacked.
- Center the weight of the load between the forks. Adjust the forks to distribute the weight evenly.
- Tilt the mast back carefully to stabilize the load.
Lifting the Load
- Check that there is adequate overhead clearance before raising the load.
- Make sure there is sufficient headroom under overhead installations, lights, pipes, etc.
- Carefully lift the load up above the lower stack about 4 inches.
- Lift the load and then tilt the mast back slightly to rest the load against the backrest extension.
- Ensure that the load does not catch on any obstructions.
- Slowly return the lift control lever to the neutral position.
Group Discussion Topics
- Is your forklift in good condition? (i.e. tires, hydraulic lines, signage, etc.).
- What are some of the forklift hazards specific to your workplace?
References
Photo Credits : People photo created by prostooleh – www.freepik.com
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