Why toolbox talks are important

Depending on which industry you work in, you may already be aware of the concept of a toolbox talk. In some countries they are known as a ‘tailgate briefing’, in others ‘crew briefings’, ‘safety talks’ or ‘take five talks’.  

Whatever name you choose to call them, the goal of the toolbox talk is the same: to spend 10–15 minutes talking informally about relevant health and safety issues in the workplace. Toolbox topics might include working at height, manual handling, slips, trips and falls or PPE.

Safety toolbox talks form part of any successful health and safety management system. Not just in terms of delivering health and safety information but also for keeping that information up to date.

In this blog, we explore the requirements for toolbox talks and the main benefits for a business of making them a regular occurrence.

Toolbox talks don’t need to be formal

Toolbox talks are generally done in a casual setting and are purposely designed so that everyone can participate in the conversation. The goal of the toolbox talk is to bring to people’s attention the specific risks they face on site and what can be done to alleviate them. They are a great way to involve the workforce and start some positive safety conversations.

Toolbox talks are there to help not hinder

The term ‘toolbox talk’ was originally coined in the construction industry where workplace health and safety hazards are probably the most prevalent, but it is useful for any industry that values the well-being of its employees.

Toolbox talks should be quick and to the point

A toolbox talk should be quick and to the point. Ideally it should cover something that is already known and be used as a means to refresh what people already know, even expand on it.

Toolbox talks should be structured

A really clear structure for a toolbox talk can help. Making sure everyone knows what is going to be covered and why will ensure the information provided is better understood by everyone during the talk. Also take time at the end of the session to summarise the key points (and any takeaways) from the toolbox talk.

The main benefits of toolbox talks

Toolbox talks provide numerous benefits but the main ones are highlighted below:

• Identify health & safety issues early

The toolbox talk can identify problems with an existing health and safety policy that might have previously been overlooked simply by discussing with the wider workforce.

• Reduce near misses and accidents

Generally, when employees are directly informed of health and safety issues through toolbox talks, they are much more likely to avoid incidents.

• Helps to comply with safety standards

While toolbox talks aren’t a legal requirement, they do help you meet various requirements such as ISO45001, when it comes to consulting with employees on safety matters.

Toolbox talks also help reinforce compliance with regards to safety rules and regulations. By discussing relevant rules, regulations, and procedures during these talks, organisations can ensure that employees are well-informed and understand their responsibilities when it comes to safety.

Builds rapport between the workforce

Regular toolbox talks help to foster a culture of inclusivity within an organisation. They provide an opportunity for everyone to share knowledge and learn good behaviours around health and safety.

Whatever sector you work in, and whatever you decide to call them, toolbox talks are a highly effective way of prioritising health and safety in the workplace, ensuring everyone gets home safely every day.

What is the biggest benefit of a toolbox talk?

Hosting regular safety toolbox talks on a relevant subject are a great way of keeping health and safety front of mind for everyone within a business. They also help achieve greater compliance with policies and procedures and really help towards creating a safe working culture and with it a healthy and happy workforce.

How often does Adey Steel have toolbox talks?

Adey Steel has been hosting toolbox talks for many years as part of our Safety First initiative.

Established in 2014, Safety First lifts health and safety off the pages of our policies and procedures and translates it into the everyday discussions we have as a team inside our business. Our toolbox talks are one way of us reinforcing this in the workplace.

Our toolbox talks aren’t just restricted to our own site in Loughborough. Our project managers hold regular talks on client’s site to ensure all contractors always remain safe when working on our projects.