Training Pack 2
Delivering Toolbox Talks (TT’s) or Safety Briefings
(SB’s)
A Guide for Managers and Site Supervisors
Key aims and objectives are:
● To explain why TT’s and SB’s are important.
● To explain who TT’s and SB’s should be
delivered to.
● To provide some advice on how to prepare
for TT’s and SB’s.
● How to structure TT’s and SB’s and what
they should contain.
● To provide advice on presentation and
delivery.
The WHAT and WHY!
Some definitions!
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TT’s:
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Short talks that focus on a specific topic e.g. manual
handling, working at heights etc.
Allow you and your workers to explore the risks of
specific health and safety issues and think about ways
to deal with them.
Help inform inexperienced workers and provide
reminders to experienced workers of correct control
measures.
SB’s:
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Short talk to detail the health and safety hazards and
risks workers will face.
Inform all workers of necessary control measures.
Why are TT’s and SB’s important?
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TT’s:
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Allow you and your workers to explore the risks of
specific health and safety issues and think about
ways to deal with them.
Encourage worker engagement.
Help support a planned series of site observations.
Encourage health and safety to become everyone’s
responsibility.
SB’s:
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Are a simple way of sharing health and safety
problems on a daily basis.
Are essential for fostering a good health and safety
culture on site.
Encourage staff to report potential failures without
fear of ‘getting done’.
Preparing for your Toolbox
Talk or Safety Briefing!
Who should present?
TT’s:
 Don’t need to be an expert but…
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Some experience of training is useful.
Good presentation skills are essential.
Presenter needs to be serious about health and
safety and take the TT seriously.
SB’s:
 This should be the site supervisor. They
need…
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Good communication skills.
The ability to question and explain.
Preparation of TT’s and SB’s
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Who
When
How long
Location
Seating
Lighting
Flip Charts/DVD player
Guidance/Information
Preparation Time
What should a SB cover?
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Reminder about “SLAM”.
Any Staff/Site changeovers.
Check risk assessments and
method statements are still
relevant.
Weather conditions.
Ground conditions.
Excavations.
Existing buried and/or
overhead services.
Working at heights.
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Public safety.
Traffic on and off site.
Plant and machinery.
Site Health and Safety
performance.
Any feedback/suggestions
from staff.
Capture any information
on near misses or
dangerous occurrences.
Deliveries, visitors, arrival
of specialist equipment,
sub-contractors.
What should a TT cover?
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TT should cover specific issues that you have
identified from walking around the site, issues
raised during SB’s or those which cause the
most accidents or near misses on site.
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Examples:
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Manual handling
Slips and trips
Asbestos
Noise induced hearing loss
Bad backs
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
How to structure and
deliver your Toolbox Talk or
Safety Briefing!
How to structure your TT:
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Allow enough time e.g. 10-15 minutes.
Have a beginning, middle and an end.
Tell workers you will be asking if they have any
questions as you go along.
Tell them not to be afraid to ask.
Do not assume you need to know all the
information – draw on others’ experience.
Do not read from a script. You will lose the
interest of your audience if you do!
How to structure your SB
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Allow enough time e.g. 10-15 minutes.
Make sure all workers are present before you
begin.
Go though the task and hazards. Highlight
safety problems, and control measures for
each hazard.
Inform workers of changes.
Tell workers not to be afraid to ask questions.
Discuss issues raised.
Finish by asking if everyone understands.
How to begin a TT:
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Get the attention of workers quickly by
showing enthusiasm and professionalism.
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Give them a reason for being there which will
mean something to them.
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Give them some numbers to think about such
as the number of days lost due to injury or the
number of fatalities.
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Let them know which hazards are associated
with the site.
The format of a TT
Add your own text as appropriate!
How to deliver a TT – TOP TIPS!
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Know your material.
Don’t get side tracked by other topics.
Make eye-contact.
Involve staff using open questions.
Summarise key points.
Make sure your voice carries to the back of
the room.
Avoid talking like a robot.
Don’t speak too quickly or too slowly.
If you get nervous breathe slowly and deeply.
Keep an eye on your timings.
How to follow-up a TT
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Give out feedback sheets at the end of the
sessions.
Talk about some of the issues raised during
the TT during your walkabouts.
Focus your site observations on the specific
topic presented at the TT.
How to deliver a SB – top tips!
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First impressions count - be clear about what
you want to say.
Know your audience (e.g. do workers have
English as a second language?).
Keep it simple, straightforward and avoid jargon.
Consider your tone!
Be respectful - listen to your workers.
Keep it positive – focus on what workers can do
to create a healthy and safe working
environment.
Be brief!
Pace yourself – explain and summarise.
Summary
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Remember, TT’s and SB’s are there to:
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Aid communication with your workers about
health and safety issues.
Highlight problems and identify solutions.
Involve your workers.
Check your workers know and understand the
risks and control measures.
Spend time preparing for them!
Use the time effectively!
ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT
DELIVERING TOOLBOX
TALKS OR SAFETY
BRIEFINGS?