TOOLBOX TALK

GENERAL SAFETY
Seven Basic General Industry Safety Rules Toolbox Talk
1. Keep work areas clean. Proper housekeeping alone can go a long way in
preventing workplace injury. Injuries such as slips, trips, falls, lacerations,
sprains, strains, etc. can be reduced by keeping work areas organized and
clean. Basic safety rule: A clean workspace makes it a safe working
environment.
2. Use the proper tool for the job. Avoid the first impulse to use whatever tool
(or object) is around you to get a work task done. Using the wrong tool for
the job can result in an injury or damage to the tool, which can lead to an
injury in the future.
3. Always wear the proper PPE for the work task. The lack of PPE, or the use
of improper PPE, leads to many injuries in the workplace. PPE is the last line
of defense when protecting yourself from the hazards of your work. If you
come into contact with hazardous materials while not wearing the correct
PPE, the injury will be more severe than if you were wearing it.
4. Never work on live equipment. Working on energized equipment is an
unsafe act that can result in serious injuries or fatalities. For your personal
safety, always follow proper lock-out/tag-out procedures prior to performing
any maintenance or repair work on equipment.
5. Make sure chemicals are properly labeled and stored. OSHA issues many
citations regarding hazard communication every year. Improper labeling and
storage can lead to injuries or property loss due to fires, corrosion, etc.
6. Communicate hazards to other personnel. Never assume that a coworker
understands the hazards of a task, especially if they are new or new to the
task. When work plans or conditions change, take the necessary time to
inform others of the impacts the changes have on safety.
7. Stop work when needed to address hazards. Always stop work to take the
time to get hazards and unsafe conditions addressed to make it safe to
continue the task. Whether you need to involve other staff, such as a
supervisor, or you need to take time to get the right tool for the job, always
take the time to do so.
ELECTRICITY SAFETY
1. Disconnect completely
Meaning that the electrical installation must be disconnected from live parts
2. Secure against re-connection
Reliably prevent the accidental re-connection of an installation where work is
in progress.
This is achieved by replacing turned off fuses in the low-voltage system with
lock-out devices.
3. Verify that the installation is dead
Is the installation really dead now? Use suitable measuring / test equipment,
such as a voltage detector, to verify the absence of operating voltage on all
poles of the electrical installation. Check the correct function of the voltage
detector prior to use.
4. Carry out earthing and short-circuiting
If the installation is dead, connect the cables and the earthing system with
short-circuit-proof earthing and short-circuiting devices.
Important: The relevant parts must be earthed before they are short-
circuited!
5. Provide protection against adjacent live parts
According to the five safety rules, adjacent parts are parts located in the
vicinity zone.
If parts of an electrical installation in the vicinity zone of the work location
cannot be disconnected, additional precautions must be taken before work
starts. In this case, use insulating protective shutters or covering material as
protection against accidental contact.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION
Introduction
Overall accident statistics indicate a general reduction in accidents but the
construction industry remains the exception by showing an increase. It’s
essential that all personnel contribute in every way possible to reduce
accident rates in construction.
Main points
 Equipment doesn’t cause accidents – people do!
 Every accident is owned by someone somewhere!
 It’s too late to plan for safety after an accident has happened!
Discussion points
Accidents are caused by:
 People not thinking, not following instructions, or not putting their
training into practice.
 Unsafe manual handling, loading, stacking and storing of materials.
 Overloading of platforms, scaffolds, hoists, and plants.
 Incorrect use and abuse of plant and equipment.
 Use of faulty equipment and “homemade” repairs.
 Illegal adaptations and illegal removal of guards/barriers.
 Failure to use PPE and ignoring safety signs/warning devices.
Cost of Accident
The costs of accidents include pain, suffering, ongoing disability, and
potential fatalities. They can also result in loss of earnings, incapacity for the
job, and inability to support family.
Employers face financial and time costs in compensation, loss of working
time, lost management time during investigations, and possible fines.
Accident Prevention in the Workplace
 Do not remove guards or barriers
 Follow instructions
 Follow your training
 Do not do any tasks you are not trained for
 Don’t be under the influence of drugs and alcohol
 Use your PPE and wear it correctly
 Do not use faulty equipment
 Don’t get complacent
 Do not overload scaffolding, workplaces, storage, hoists etc.
 Manual handling should be done correctly and safely
 Don’t direct compressed air at yourself or others
 Keep your work area clear and clean
 Do not do any tasks that you’re not trained to do
 Do not handle and transport chemicals if you’re not trained to handle
them
 Obey all warning signals and signs
Personal Costs of Accidents to You or Others
 Unable to do your job and your hobbies
 Reduced personal satisfaction, life balance
 Loss of earnings – leading to potential financial struggles
 Extra expenses due to permanent disability
Key takeaways:
 Your actions can have significant consequences
 Do not get complacent at work
 Do not do any tasks you are not trained to do
 Always follow training and instructions
 Don’t be under the influence of alcohol and drugs
HOUSEKEEPING
A workplace that practices good housekeeping not only increases worker
morale but prevents injuries and illnesses. Good housekeeping is an
important element of a safety and health program for reducing hazards in
the workplace. Housekeeping also keeps the work area clean and free from
clutter that can contribute to workplace incidents.
Benefits of good housekeeping in the workplace:
 Eliminates and/or reduces slips, trips and falls
 Decreases fire hazards by reducing waste, debris and flammable
materials
 Improves worker health by reducing exposure to harmful substances
and airborne particles
 Fewer worker injuries because equipment is maintained, materials are
well-organized and warning signs are posted
 Reduced work-related stress on the worker
To maintain good housekeeping practices, employers should:
 Allocate time for workers to clean and clear all waste from the
workplace
 Regularly inspect and repair tools and equipment in the workplace
 Ensure spills are immediately cleaned and warning signs are visible
 Keep aisles and walkways clear from obstructions
  Provide directions, labels and signs for items in the workplace
 Maintain clean lighting fixtures that are free from dust
 Ensure garbage is segregated and regularly collected.

PPE
Introduction
PPE is anything worn or used by a person to minimise the risks to a person’s
health and safety. It’s designed to protect employees by reducing their
exposure to chemical, biological and physical hazards. It is used by workers
when other workplace exposure control measures do not completely manage
the risk.
Categories of PPE.
 Hearing protection – earmuffs or earplugs to protect from hazardous
noise
 Skin and body protection – these protect from physical and chemical
hazards
 Face and Eye – physical and chemical hazards e.g. UV light and acids,
sparks, flying objects
 Respiratory – protection from physical, chemical, and biological
hazards
Importance of PPE
 Prevent unnecessary injury in the workplace;
 Protect employees from excessive chemical exposure;
 Prevent the spread of germs and infectious diseases including covid-
19;
 Help businesses comply with regulatory requirements(e.g., the
personal protective equipment at work regulations 1992 that’s recently
been extended to limb workers); and
 Improve employee productivity and efficiency.
What Can Happen If You Don’t Use PPE?
Failing to use PPE can result in severe consequences, such as:
 Increased risk of injury or illness
 Non-compliance with industry regulations, resulting in fines or
penalties
 Higher workplace accident rates
 Potential long-term health problems
Key takeaways:
 PPE reduces risk but does not eliminate the risk
 PPE should be correctly selected and fitted
 Workers need training on how to wear PPE correctly
 PPE needs to be maintained and stored properly.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is vital for ensuring workplace safety.
It’s essential to wear appropriate PPE for different job tasks and conditions,
as failure to do so can result in severe consequences. Employers must
provide proper PPE and ensure that workers are trained to use them
correctly. Workers also need to take responsibility for their safety and wear
PPE as required. Remember, wearing PPE is not optional but mandatory, and
it can save lives and prevent injuries. So, always wear your PPE, and stay
safe!
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Introduction
Alcohol and the effects of alcohol at work is not only a hazard risk to
yourself, but also your work colleagues. Alcohol abuse can have a significant
impact not only to individuals but also to work colleagues and potentially
their employers.
Why is alcohol a significant risk in the workplace?
Working under the influence of alcohol will cause impairment, which can lead
to poor decision making and concentration, negative health impacts to the
worker, impaired problem solving skills, slower reaction times, and increased
error rates.
 Construction is a high risk industry. High risk activities and alcohol do
not mix
When working on site you need to be alert and fully focused on the
task at hand.
 Alcohol is a drug that depresses parts of the brain function which
makes staying alert and focused more difficult
 If you are found to be under the influence of alcohol, you won’t be
allowed on, or will be removed from site and you could lose your job
 Many drivers who are killed in road accidents were found to be over
the legal blood/alcohol limit
 Many workplace fatal accidents have been alcohol-related
 Do not expect to work safely on site the next day after getting drunk.
 Alcohol may take more time than you think to be processed and
removed from your system and you could still be over the limit when
you drive to work
Key takeaways:
 Do not consume or be under the influence of alcohol at work - do not
aggravate health and safety risks by drinking alcohol at work
 Be fit and ready – Don’t be hungover and turn up to work
 Look out for your work mates – Don’t harm yourself and your work
mates, also help others who may have an alcohol problem.

LADDER SAFETY
Ergonomics
Forklift safety
Hazardous materials

Asbestos
Fire extinguishers
First Aid
Heat stress
Environmental safety
Fire safety

Lifting
Small tools
Angle grinder safety
Back Safety
Battery handling
Behavioral safety