By John Honaker, Resource Coordinator  

Are you looking for ways to boost the safety awareness of your tradespeople? How do you make sure that your workers leave the jobsite safe and sound at the end of every work day? What is your plan to help your team identify potential hazards and risks, while ensuring that your organization complies with construction safety regulations and guidelines? Reports show that the majority of accidents and injuries on the jobsite can be prevented when everyone knows how to do their job safely. Below, we elaborate on the importance of toolbox talks on strengthening the safety training of your people and minimizing the chances of mistakes.

More Training
Even when your tradespeople have solid construction skills and a long experience in their profession, you have to remember that their safety training should not end after you walk them on the jobsite. Giving them a vague safety pitch just for the sake of it is not the way to reduce and eliminate dangers and hazards for your workforce. To promote construction safety, you need to look into the importance of toolbox talks in training your people. Hold regular meetings where you revisit relevant topics based on the job at hand. For instance, if it is about an electrician job, talk about electrical hazards, or, if it is for a plumber job, talk about plumbing hazards, etc. Train your people to stay safe.

Less Risk
A construction jobsite changes every moment. Heavy equipment, numerous tools, and different tradesmen work on the same project. One basic rule in preventing accidents is… keep everyone focused on construction safety. To accomplish this, you need to make sure that your tradespeople have a clear picture and understanding of their working conditions and surroundings. Are they aware of the new trench that was dug for drainage? Are there electrical cables scattered around the jobsite? Did last night’s rain increase the chances of workers getting hurt? Regular toolbox talks are a great way to keep everyone on the same page.

Promotion of Safe Work Practices
The confidence in their construction skills and the effort to meet deadlines are sometimes the reasons for tradespeople to cut corners and neglect construction safety. Both of these factors set the conditions for disaster to happen. Your organization needs to protect workers and deliver successful projects by recognizing the importance of toolbox talks in promoting safe work practices. The more often you get together with your team to discuss safety procedures, the fewer problems you are going to encounter. Keep reminding your workforce how to get the job done both the safe and right way.

Increased Jobsite Communication
Remember that every project worksite is different from the previous one. You always need to keep in mind that for construction safety to be reinforced, your workers must play an active role. Holding regular toolbox talks gives you the chance to listen to any safety concerns that your tradespeople might have and stay focused on safety. Is their personal protective equipment in a good shape? Are tools worn out and need to be replaced? Regular safety meetings allow you to check on issues like these and get feedback from your team firsthand. When you increase safety communication on the jobsite, you decrease the chances of workplace accidents.

More Compliance and Accountability
Construction safety must always be your company’s priority. You need to stay on top of safety guidelines and align with new regulations as fast as possible. You also have to make sure that your workforce complies with these rules at all times. Which areas need improvement? What steps can you take to reduce risks? An efficient way to constantly embrace safety compliance is to realize the importance of toolbox talks and take advantage of the benefits they bring to your operations. Regular toolbox talks allow you to keep your workers educated and informed, thereby more focused on safety. Make sure someone is in charge of worksite safety and holds your workforce accountable.

Key Takeaways for The Importance of Construction Toolbox Talks:
1.  Toolbox talks enable you to further train your tradespeople around safety
2.  Toolbox talks help you keep your workforce informed about jobsite working conditions
3.  Toolbox talks allow you promote safe work practices across your jobsite
4.  Toolbox talks give you the chance listen any of your workers’ safety concerns
5.  Toolbox talks help your organization embrace safety compliance

About TradeSource
Founded in 1993, TradeSource is a construction labor solutions firm focused on delivering labor solutions to contractors throughout the United States. By supplying skilled tradespeople – where and when they’re needed – we help contractors grow their companies, without the associated costs and hassles of full-time hires. Likewise, we match qualified employees with rewarding and well-paying job opportunities in the construction industry. www.tradesource.com