Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/34592
36 • JULY 2011 • WORLD FENCE NEWS I have been asked to write, for this month and next, about the need for toolbox safety talks, where to find some topics for the safety talks, and fi- nally, the format and presentation forms that make the most sense. Over these two months, we will endeavor to answer these questions. Let’s start by sharing what, in my mind, is a major thought as to why companies should be conducting these talks on an ongoing basis. The most important, it seems to me, is the potential for significantly re- ducing injuries and the accompanying workers’ comp insurance premiums. I am constantly hearing, from many of you, on just how “out-of- sight” your annual premiums are. Having a toolbox safety program that is OSHA compliant can not only THE HUMAN LINK by Jim Lucci Management Motivational Associates Toolbox safety talks – part 1 serve to be very effective in potentially reducing your premiums but also a vivid reminder to your employees about the importance of working safely in their daily tasks; more on this later. These “toolbox topics,” “safety chats,” or whatever your business/or- ganization calls them, are brief safety talks or meetings about a specific sub- ject, held usually at the beginning of a shift, and are typically brief (two to five minutes) interactive discussion meetings on something safety related. These toolbox topics or chats are used to cover a variety of short but timely subjects and to remind employ- ees each day, before they go to work, the importance of working safely. More on the specifics in next month’s column. Suffice it to say, for now, that hav- ing an effective program in place can significantly reduce accidents in the workplace, which in turn goes a sig- nificant way toward reducing workers’ comp rates. I would be remiss if I didn’t men- tion further that toolbox chats or safety talks can and probably should be cus- tomized to your company situation. Now we should devote some thought as to where to obtain some re- sources for said toolbox chats. Some of you might recall that in October 2010 the American Fence Association communicated with World Fence News that the association publishes an extensive list of resources that can be used to develop “toolbox” safety talks as well as an OSHA compliant safety and health program. The association also offers an em- ployee safety handbook in both Eng- lish and Spanish. You can check this out at: www.AmericanFenceAssocia- tion.com. Another source for topics is www.safetytoolboxtalks.com. This is a portal for safety profes- sionals to share and exchange free safety topics and resources…specifi- cally toolbox topics and toolbox talks and other safety information. The intention of this site is to be an exchange for safety professionals. It can take a lot of work to develop safety topics for such toolbox talks each day or week. It is hoped that, if you use the resources on this latter site, you will also post your own toolbox talk creations to share with others. Through this exchange, all can benefit from interesting and diverse toolbox safety topics to share with em- ployees during the toolbox talk to em- phasize safety at work. As a personal observation, I would encourage all to visit the section which is specifically designed for free safety topics, which includes such diverse subjects as behavioral safety, electrical safety, forklift safety, and chemical safety, to name a few. One other feature which I found interesting on this web site is some- thing they call a “safety discussion forum,” which is a place where safety professionals can ask questions and share their experiences with others to assist in reducing work place hazards. Another resource is BLR, which is available at www.Safety.blr.com/tool- boxtalks. This site has some 451 topics for your consideration, at no charge, and the topics have national application. They offer such topics as driving safety, hand and portable power tools, welding, cutting and brazing, etc. This is a very diverse site and could prove useful for your research. Another web site that could prove helpful to you is www.mountain- state.edu. This is a site which deals once continued on page 38