SAFE
T
Y
ALER
T
ASSOCIATIONS
Toolbox talks
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Toolbox talks should be held by supervisory staff on a weekly basis
with employees and should address the application of health and
safety rules and procedures to the hazards of current work.
By IOPSA
How to choose a topic?
Incidents:
• Use your current incident or accident reports to
develop your own topic.
• Base it on something known, such as a task or
procedure that has high risks.
• Involve the employees working on the task by
getting their input.
Industry:
• Speak to those in your industry for topics they have
used.
• Research topics related to your industry.
• Speak to manufacturers of the tools or equipment
you work with.
IOPSA/FEM:
• Never feel that you have no option, if the above
suggestions are not working for you, simply log
into the live IOPSA/FEM sponsored toolbox talks
held every week:
• Monday Mornings at 7am: Zulu
• Tuesday Mornings at 7am: English
place in our lives and work, and often times, health
and safety comes in last, if at all. A simple routine of
developing your own toolbox talks, or joining the live
broadcast, will eventually lead to a safer mentality, for
you and those who work with you.
Want to put it to the test? Email us at
[email protected] and request a link to the
live toolbox talks designed to help those in the
plumbing industry get the most out of their time
and safety program.
Final note
Having a safety system is more than just ensuring
you have the right documents to comply with the
law or your clients’ safety specifications. It is about
demonstrating a safety system that cares for the
Health and Safety of your employees and those who
are affected by your work. Always strive for zero
harm! PA
How do you benefit?
Toolbox talks are a great way to start a routine of
health and safety. Setting aside this regular time
shows confidence in health and safety and encourages
employees to take safety seriously.
These weekly reminders on basic topics or well-
known issues help to solidify the behaviour of safety
in those
who listen to the talks, and it also gets people talking
about safety.
Don’t reinvent the ‘safety’ wheel – we already have it!
Simply put, time is precious and the use of our time on
things that are a priority or important to us take first
August 2019 Volume 25 I Number 6
www.plumbingafrica.co.za