
However, some sites store far more powerful and hazardous chemicals, which you wouldn’t want to casually mop up if you came across a spill.Ĭoming into contact with dangerous liquids may be more common than you think. Hand soap, bleach and dishwashing liquid are a few you can find at home and at work. We expose ourselves to chemicals every day. Before you cover your first aid topic (if you’re focusing on one) make sure your team knows the basics: Yes it’s important to talk about preventing injuries in the first place, but first aid information and training should be an equal priority. In 2017, the Red Cross found less than 5% of people in Australia were trained in first aid, one of the lowest rates in the world.ĭo you know who’s first aid trained in your team? Or where the kit is kept? These are a couple of simple questions you could begin your talk with. Remember: keep your talk brief, stick to just one topic and make sure it’s applicable to your workplace and team. Here are 10 basic safety topics that are common across industry. Ask questions, inject humour or ask them to imagine themselves in certain situations to learn what they would do. They should be a conversation, so be sure to break the ice and engage them from the start. Topics can be used to pass on important safety information but also work as a prompt for employees to discuss safety and identify potential hazards. The purpose of a toolbox talk is to create a safety discussion and receive feedback from your team. These regular meetings focus on a single aspect of health and safety specific to your work site. The name ‘toolbox talk’ comes from employees gathering around a toolbox for the meetings, but they’re also known as ‘pre-starts’. We’ve put together this list of 10 broad topics that could spark some ideas relevant to your workplace.īut first, we’ll quickly explain what they are…Ī toolbox talk is a short safety meeting that’s held just before a shift starts. Your teammates are typically the ones most exposed to risk and have an understanding of what works practically in the real world – so they’re usually the ones with the best ideas!įortunately, there are hundreds of safety topics you could cover. The key to an effective toolbox talk is understanding that it’s a chance to engage with your team. Occasionally you’ll find yourself reading a blog post for some last-minute inspiration. Sometimes you’re ready to go with a handful of ideas, other times you’re staring at a blank document. Are you new to toolbox talks? It can be hard to think of topics for your next safety meeting.
