TOOLBOX TALK 54/60
TOPIC: WATCHING OUT FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS
OBJECTIVE: TO ENSURE WORKERS TAKE SAFETY AS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY

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Some things to know before you give your talk.

• As a supervisor, you need to understand that you can’t watch all your people all the time.
• You must identify those people and jobs in your area of responsibility that are most difficult to observe.
• Be prepared to tell your crew that although much effort goes into providing them with a safe place, the responsibility for working safely also falls on them.

During the meeting:

• Remind them that taking chances, engaging in horseplay, using the wrong tool, not wearing personal protective equipment all the time and not following the safety rules are decisions a person makes for themselves.
• Explain to them that everyone in the company is interested in their safety. However, others can’t be looking out for them all the time.
• Emphasize that following the safety rules and wearing personal protective equipment only when someone is watching is only going to result in eventual injury.

Try this for show and tell! Ask the group what each one of them can do to better provide for their own safety. The discussion should include use of personal protective equipment, not taking unsafe shortcuts, use of equipment guards and eliminating horseplay. Always using seat belts and requiring others to do so in their personal cars is an excellent example. Looking out for your family, yourselves and your community.   Questions you can use to get them talking: I’d like each of you to mention one thing you have done recently to make this a safer job, your home or your communities lives safer.