So, what is a toolbox talk? A start of shift briefing, a safety chat, procedure update or meeting, it really doesn’t matter what it is called it is the purpose and content that are so important!
Whatever industry you are from you have probably had training and information given to you throughout your working years. Some of this information will be new and some will be old but the point of this continual communication is for safety and enforcement of knowledge.
Coming from a military background I have experienced training like no other, probably about 80% of the time we were practicing, training or preparing for many different eventualities, from fires and floods onboards ships to enemy attack and disaster management. The amount of information received was immense and there was no way this could all be retained and then pulled out of our heads exactly at the point needed without being reminded of this information or practiced all the time!
This is basically what a toolbox talk is.
Toolbox talks or TBT terminology has come from the construction industry, it basically means “a short presentation to the workforce on a single aspect of health and safety” (HSE)
These “talks” or presentations are so common to the construction industry and many others like it, but are they really taken seriously or even delivered as they should be? There isn’t really a set time to carry out these talks but what they must be is relevant to the people they are being delivered to.
Have you ever sat in a meeting and wondered why you are there? The information has no bearing on your work or those that work for you but still you have to attend? Were does your mind wonder? You might be thinking about all the work you could be doing, what you are going to have for dinner or something completely unrelated.
How do you feel about the waste of time? Maybe the next time a meeting is called you will not attend due to sense of timewasting and relevance?
This is just as important when it comes to TBT, we must make sure it is relevant otherwise people switch off, the next time the TBT might be relevant but the information is missed by those in attendance!
TBT are there not for primary training but to reinforce knowledge already received, it is there as a reminder or to allow updates of best practices, this information is absolutely vital in keeping everyone up to date and reminded of safety and procedures.
Important things for an employer to remember when conducting Toolbox Talks.
