Let’s Talk About Safety Meetings, Toolbox Talks and Tailgate Talks – 3/25/24

Safety E-Quick Tips

OWYN Safety Management Platform

Let’s Talk About Safety Meetings, Toolbox Talks, and Tailgate Meetings

To be clear Safety Meetings, Toolbox Talks and Tailgate Meetings are all the same thing, but I’m sure you already know that.

But if you are a contractor, you might know them better as Toolbox Talks or Tailgate Meetings where those of you in industry or manufacturing know them as Safety Meetings.

What is so great about these meetings or talks?

They provide employers the ability to get information to their employees quickly regarding specific hazards they will be exposed to.

I’d like to emphasize that a good meeting should not last more than 5-10 minutes.  It should focus on only one hazard that the employees will be exposed to on the job, which should only take about 5 minutes. The balance can be used to discuss any questions employees may have, then it’s back to work.

That’s short, cost-effective and to the point.  A win for everyone.

And don’t forget, if you’re going to take the time to have one of these meetings, don’t forget to document when they took place, what was discussed and who was in attendance.

Her are a few more tips on how to put on a good meeting.

1. Always have regularly scheduled meetings.
2. Meetings should never be one size fits all.  An electrical contractors’ employee would probably never need a meeting on pile driving, while a machinist working in a shop would probably not need to attend all the same safety meetings as a custodian at the same facility.
3. Don’t allow meetings to become a coffee break where everyone talks about a little of everything – stay focused!
4. Revisit your safety meeting on a specific hazard if one of your employees experiences an incident with that hazard, as there is no better time to address and discuss it.

If you follow these simple ideas, you will not only put on a good meeting, it will provide your employees with some of the best protection from hazards in the workplace.

Employee QuickTip

When your employer takes the time to put on a Safety Meeting, Toolbox Talk or Tailgate Meeting, take the time to listen. Those quick meetings will help keep you safe, not sorry.

Employer/Management QuickTip

For the best way to raise employee awareness of workplace hazards, nothing beats a short 5-10 minute Safety Meeting, Toolbox Talk, or Tailgate Meeting focused on the specific hazard they may encounter.

Have you received your first Safety E-QuickTip and would like to check out some QuickTips from the past? Check out our Safety E-QuickTips Archive Page on our website.

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Thanks for Reading and Please – “Stay Safe this Week”.