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TOOLBOX TALK

This is a section of Toolbox Talk articles for workers conducting toolbox talks and for everyone in the workplace doing a work activity.

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Toolbox talk is a short meeting organised by the workers before the start of every work shift. They do this to keep themselves aware of the hazards in the activity that they want to do. 

The toolbox talk meeting is always within 5 to 15 minutes. The workers doing the job are expected to be present and participate fully.

The various subjects for a toolbox talk that the presenter can develop and present include;

  • Accident prevention.
  • Accident reporting.
  • Accident prevention and control.
  • Abrasive wheel.
  • Supervision and monitoring.
  • Chemical inhalation.
  • Construction site rules.
  • Demolition.Danger.
  • Dermatitis.
  • Drugs.
  • Dust.
  • Display screen equipment.
  • Equipment and vehicles.
  • Eye protection.
  • Eye google.
  • Fire.
  • Fire prevention.
  • Horseplay at work.
  • Manual handling.
  • Safe working limit.
  • Fire safety.
  • Flammable liquids.
  • Gas safety.
  • Flammable liquids.
  • Good Housekeeping.
  • Hammers.
  • Work tools.
  • Ladders.
  • Scaffolding.
  • Conveyors.
  • Hand protection.
  • Head Protection.
  • Harmful Substance.
  • Infections at work.
  • Legionella.
  • Leptospirosis.
  • Lifting Equipment.
  • Lone working.
  • Mobile elevated working platform.
  • Near misses.
  • Outdoor working.
  • Working under extreme weather conditions.
  • Overhead Services.
  • Portable Appliances Testing.
  • PPE use.
  • Permits to work.
  • RPE. 
  • Radiation.
  • Risk assessment.
  • Refuelling.
  • Roof work.
  • Safety awareness.
  • Safety Nets.
  • Screwdrivers.
  • Sharp edges.
  • Sharp surfaces.
  • Shift work.
  • Silica dust.
  • Skid loaders.
  • Construction skips.
  • Stress.
  • Tyre Safety.
  • Machine guarding.
  • Slip trip and fall.
  • dropped objects.
  • Oxygen deficiency
  • Power tools
  • Violence
  • Transport management.
  • Underground services.
  • Vibration.
  • Welfare services.
  • Young person.
  • Disabled person.
  • Drills.
  • Emergency Plan.
  • Emergency response kits.
  • First aid.
  • Zero Harm.
  • Work at height.
  • Fire extinguisher.
  • Use of Handglove.
underground cable photo

Toolbox talk on working near underground cables.

Underground cables are cables laid under the ground. They are not visible to people. Live underground cables pose a safety risk during unplanned and poorly managed excavations in an area. Poor management of excavation around underground cables may result in fatal consequences, and disruption of that utility will have devastating consequences for the people using it.

horseplay at work toolbox talk

Toolbox talk on horseplay at work

Horseplay at work — engaging in rough, playful behavior — can result in serious consequences, from distractions and loss of concentration to physical injuries, damage to company property, and even fatal accidents. It’s particularly prevalent in industries like construction. Both employers and employees have a responsibility to prevent horseplay, with measures including clear policies, safety rules, and training to foster a safer, horseplay-free workplace.