100 SAFETY TOPICS

Training Pack 2

Delivering Toolbox Talks (TT’s) or Safety Briefings (SB’s)

A Guide for Managers and Site Supervisors

Key aims and objectives are:

● To explain why TT’s and SB’s are important.

● To explain who TT’s and SB’s should be delivered to.

● To provide some advice on how to prepare for TT’s and SB’s.

● How to structure TT’s and SB’s and what they should contain.

● To provide advice on presentation and delivery.

The WHAT and WHY!

Some definitions!

TT’s: Short talks that focus on a specific topic e.g. manual

handling, working at heights etc. Allow you and your workers to explore the risks

of specific health and safety issues and think about ways to deal with them.

Help inform inexperienced workers and provide reminders to experienced workers of correct control measures.

SB’s: Short talk to detail the health and safety hazards and

risks workers will face. Inform all workers of necessary control measures.

Why are TT’s and SB’s important?

TT’s: Allow you and your workers to explore the

risks of specific health and safety issues and think about ways to deal with them.

Encourage worker engagement. Help support a planned series of site observations. Encourage health and safety to become everyone’s

responsibility. SB’s:

Are a simple way of sharing health and safety problems on a daily basis.

Are essential for fostering a good health and safety culture on site.

Encourage staff to report potential failures without fear of ‘getting done’.

Preparing for your Toolbox Talk or Safety Briefing!

Who should present?TT’s: Don’t need to be an expert but…

Some experience of training is useful. Good presentation skills are essential. Presenter needs to be serious about health and

safety and take the TT seriously.

SB’s: This should be the site supervisor. They

need… Good communication skills. The ability to question and explain.

Preparation of TT’s and SB’s

Who When How long Location Seating Lighting Flip Charts/DVD player Guidance/Information Preparation Time

What should a SB cover?

Reminder about “SLAM”. Any Staff/Site changeovers. Check risk assessments and

method statements are still relevant.

Weather conditions. Ground conditions. Excavations. Existing buried and/or

overhead services. Working at heights.

Public safety. Traffic on and off site. Plant and machinery. Site Health and Safety

performance. Any feedback/suggestions

from staff. Capture any information

on near misses or dangerous occurrences.

Deliveries, visitors, arrival of specialist equipment, sub-contractors.

What should a TT cover?

TT should cover specific issues that you have identified from walking around the site, issues raised during SB’s or those which cause the most accidents or near misses on site. Examples:

Manual handling Slips and trips Asbestos Noise induced hearing loss Bad backs Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

How to structure and deliver your Toolbox Talk

or Safety Briefing!

How to structure your TT:

Allow enough time e.g. 10-15 minutes. Have a beginning, middle and an end. Tell workers you will be asking if they have any

questions as you go along. Tell them not to be afraid to ask. Do not assume you need to know all the

information – draw on others’ experience. Do not read from a script. You will lose the

interest of your audience if you do!

How to structure your SB

Allow enough time e.g. 10-15 minutes. Make sure all workers are present before you

begin. Go though the task and hazards. Highlight

safety problems, and control measures for each hazard.

Inform workers of changes. Tell workers not to be afraid to ask questions.

Discuss issues raised. Finish by asking if everyone understands.

How to begin a TT:

Get the attention of workers quickly by showing enthusiasm and professionalism.

Give them a reason for being there which will mean something to them.

Give them some numbers to think about such as the number of days lost due to injury or the number of fatalities.

Let them know which hazards are associated with the site.

The format of a TT

Add your own text as appropriate!

How to deliver a TT – TOP TIPS! Know your material. Don’t get side tracked by other topics. Make eye-contact. Involve staff using open questions. Summarise key points. Make sure your voice carries to the back of the

room. Avoid talking like a robot. Don’t speak too quickly or too slowly. If you get nervous breathe slowly and deeply. Keep an eye on your timings.

How to follow-up a TT

Give out feedback sheets at the end of the

sessions. Talk about some of the issues raised during

the TT during your walkabouts. Focus your site observations on the specific

topic presented at the TT.

How to deliver a SB – top tips!

First impressions count - be clear about what you want to say.

Know your audience (e.g. do workers have English as a second language?).

Keep it simple, straightforward and avoid jargon. Consider your tone! Be respectful - listen to your workers. Keep it positive – focus on what workers can do

to create a healthy and safe working environment.

Be brief! Pace yourself – explain and summarise.

Summary

Remember, TT’s and SB’s are there to: Aid communication with your workers about

health and safety issues. Highlight problems and identify solutions. Involve your workers. Check your workers know and understand the

risks and control measures.

Spend time preparing for them! Use the time effectively!

ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT DELIVERING TOOLBOX

TALKS OR SAFETY BRIEFINGS?