Toolbox talk topics
54 short safety talks for construction and trade crews. Each takes about five minutes and has key points plus questions to get the crew talking. Free to read and use.
By trade: roofing topics by month · topics for electricians
Falls and ladders
- Ladder setup
Most ladder falls happen because of how the ladder was set up, not how it was climbed. Take thirty seconds to set it right. - Stepladder safety
Stepladders feel safe because they stand on their own. That is exactly why people stand on the top cap and lean too far. - Fall protection basics
Falls are a leading cause of death in construction. Plan how you will stop a fall before anyone goes up. - Harness inspection
A harness only works if it is in good shape. Inspect it every time you put it on. - Floor openings and holes
A hole in the floor is easy to forget once you have walked past it a few times. Cover it, mark it and keep it covered. - Scaffold safety
Scaffolds move, settle and get changed by other trades. Check it before you climb on it. - Roof work safety
Roofs combine slope, edges, weather and loose material. Plan the day before you go up. - Aerial and scissor lifts
Lifts make height work easier but tip over, crush and throw people when used wrong.
Tools and equipment
- Power tool safety
Most power tool injuries come from skipping a small step: a guard, a check, an unplugged cord. - Circular saw safety
Kickback is fast. Setup and stance decide whether it hurts you. - Nail gun safety
Nail guns cause a lot of hand and eye injuries, many from the contact trigger firing a second nail. - Hand tool safety
Hand tools seem harmless, which is why they get misused. - Angle grinder safety
Grinders spin fast enough to shatter a wheel. Match the wheel, keep the guard on, wear a face shield. - Extension cord safety
Cords get run over, pinched and spliced. Damaged cords shock people and start fires. - Forklifts and telehandlers
Lift equipment shares the site with people on foot. Most incidents involve someone walking where the operator can't see. - Heavy equipment blind spots
Operators can't see a lot of the ground around their machine. If you can't see the operator's eyes, they can't see you.
Electrical
- Electrical hazards on site
Electricity gives no warning. Treat every wire as live until it's proven dead. - Overhead power lines
Contact with overhead lines kills workers every year, usually through a ladder, a boom or a long piece of material. - Lockout/tagout basics
Machines and circuits can start up while someone is working on them. Lockout/tagout keeps energy off until you are done. - GFCI protection
A GFCI trips fast enough to stop a shock from becoming deadly. It only helps if it's there and working.
Health and environment
- Heat illness prevention
Heat illness can go from cramps to a medical emergency in less than an hour. Water, rest and shade are the defense. - Cold stress
Cold, wet and wind together can cause frostbite and hypothermia, even on days that don't feel that cold. - Silica dust
Cutting, grinding and drilling concrete, stone and brick puts silica dust in the air. Over time it damages lungs. - Noise and hearing protection
Hearing loss is permanent and builds up slowly. If you have to shout to be heard at arm's length, it's too loud. - Lifting and back safety
Strains and sprains are some of the most common injuries on a job. Most come from one awkward lift. - Sun exposure
Outdoor work means a lot of sun. Skin damage adds up over a career. - Hazard communication and SDS
Paints, solvents, adhesives and fuels can hurt you. The label and Safety Data Sheet tell you how. - Fatigue on the job
Tired people make mistakes. Long days, early starts and heat make it worse.
Site and traffic
- Work zone traffic safety
Workers near traffic are at risk from drivers who are distracted or going too fast. - Backing vehicles
Many site incidents happen when vehicles back up. Drivers can't see much behind them. - Jobsite housekeeping
A clean site is a safer site. Trips, falls, punctures and fires all start with clutter. - Slips, trips and falls
Same-level falls are common and can cause serious injuries. - Material storage and stacking
Poorly stacked material falls, rolls and collapses. - Emergency action plan
When something goes wrong, people need to know where to go and who to call. - First aid basics
Quick first aid can make a big difference. Everyone should know where the kit is. - Stairways on site
Temporary and unfinished stairs cause many falls.
Fire and hazards
- Fire prevention
Construction sites have fuels, heat sources and debris. Fires start fast. - Hot work safety
Welding, cutting and grinding throw sparks that can start fires long after work stops. - Using a fire extinguisher
Knowing how to use an extinguisher before you need it matters. - Fuel handling
Gas and diesel are part of daily work. Handle them carefully. - Compressed gas cylinders
Cylinders can become rockets if the valve breaks.
Excavation
PPE
- PPE basics
Personal protective equipment is the last line of defense. - Eye protection
Eye injuries happen fast and can be permanent. - Hand protection
Hands get cut, crushed and burned more than any other body part. - Hard hats
Hard hats protect against falling objects and bumps. - High-visibility clothing
Being seen is key around traffic and equipment. - Respirators
Some jobs need respiratory protection to keep dust and fumes out of your lungs. - Foot protection
Feet get crushed, punctured and twisted on site.