Toolbox Talk - How to Prevent Welding Fires
By Tarra Boggs Toolbox Talks • 0 Comments

Toolbox Talk – How to Prevent Welding Fires

Date: ____________________________________

Supervisor: _______________________________

Company Name: _____________________________

Job Name: ______________________________

Welding is a dangerous job. No matter how experienced a welder is, he still is working with extreme temperatures, hazardous fumes, and flammable materials. According to a study conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2015, more than 500,000 workers are injured every year due to welding accidents. This is not a small number. Although welding can cause a large array of accidents and injuries, there is nothing more catastrophic than fire. In this week’s Toolbox Talk, we’ll take a look at welding fires and some effective strategies for their prevention.

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Toolbox Talk - Electrical Hazards
By Tarra Boggs Toolbox Talks • 0 Comments

Toolbox Talk – Electrical Hazards

Date: ____________________________________

Supervisor: _______________________________

Company Name: _____________________________

Job Name: ______________________________

Construction sites have a great capacity for electrical hazards. Electricity is used as a power supply for tools, for lighting, and for the operation of machinery. Additionally, electricity exists as infrastructure that runs through walls, underground, and in suspended power lines. Essentially, electricity is all around us, and if we aren’t careful we can face the risk of electrocution. Electrocution is especially dangerous because it can cause loss of consciousness. If a worker is in a precarious position, this loss of consciousness can result in a fall or other physical accident.

In today’s Toolbox Talk, we will take a close look at the different ways we can receive an electric shock, as well as ways to avoid electrical hazards.

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Toolbox Talk - The Effects of Weather
By Tarra Boggs Toolbox Talks • 0 Comments

Toolbox Talk – The Effects of Weather

Date: ____________________________________

Supervisor: _______________________________

Company Name: _____________________________

Job Name: ______________________________

Every contractor must contend with the weather. Regardless of where or when we work, how much money we make, or which client we snag, we have no control over the weather. We can plan and monitor forecasts all we want, but no amount of preparation can prevent a sudden downpour or bout of intense winds. Therefore, we must always create our construction sites with the weather in mind: we must build in anticipation of the worst, and we must bring supplies that will help protect our bodies and equipment in any scenario.

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Toolbox Talk - Excavations
By Tarra Boggs Toolbox Talks • 0 Comments

Toolbox Talk – Excavations

Date: ____________________________________

Supervisor: _______________________________

Company Name: _____________________________

Job Name: ______________________________

There are many tasks in the construction industry that require the removal of earth. This process, known as excavation, can be very dangerous. Cave-ins and slough-offs are significant causes of death every year in the field of construction. With this week’s Toolbox Talk, you can review the process of excavation with your employees and make sure that they always follow proper guidelines when performing this kind of work.

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Toolbox Talk - Living Safely Away From Work
By Tarra Boggs Toolbox Talks • • • 0 Comments

Toolbox Talk – Living Safely Away From Work

Date: ____________________________________

Supervisor: _______________________________

Company Name: _____________________________

Job Name: ______________________________

So far in this series of Toolbox Talks, we have focused on safety practices that pertain to the workplace. However, it is important for your employees to adopt safety as a part of their overall lifestyles, rather than an arbitrary mode that they tap into during their shifts. As a matter of fact, contractors are statistically safer at work than they are at home. If you think about it, this makes sense. Most accidents at work happen when employees are functioning on “autopilot,” or not paying attention to their surroundings. When you are at home, you are often in a relaxed, routine state. Depending on your personal habits, these routines can be dangerous to your wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around you. 

Use this Toolbox Talk to gently call attention to your employees’ habits away from work, and to remind them to take care of themselves.

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Toolbox Talk - Barricades and Warning Devices
By Tarra Boggs Toolbox Talks • 0 Comments

Toolbox Talk – Barricades and Warning Devices

Date: ____________________________________

Supervisor: _______________________________

Company Name: _____________________________

Job Name: ______________________________

There are two main types of construction work that typically require a great deal of public protection. These are 1) new residential developments and 2) highway work. Both of these jobs require that you modify the existing traffic patterns and, more importantly, the existing driving habits of the public. Typically, you must plan your communication with the public through strategically placed warning devices. This can be a rather tricky task. With this Toolbox Talk, we will go over the best ways to use of barricades and signs.

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Toolbox Talk - The Rules of the Spotter
By Tarra Boggs Toolbox Talks • • • 0 Comments

Toolbox Talk – The Rules of the Spotter

Date: ____________________________________

Supervisor: _______________________________

Company Name: _____________________________

Job Name: ______________________________

Most construction sites rely on a wide variety of vehicles and heavy equipment, from semi-trucks to bulldozers. These large vehicles require skilled, qualified drivers. However, even the most skilled driver could benefit from the assistance of a spotter. Large vehicles have many blind spots, and it is always helpful to have a person on the outside to safely scan and guide the driver - especially during difficult tasks such as backing up. With this Toolbox Talk, we will review the role of a spotter within a construction site, and what they should remember when in this position.

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Toolbox Talk - The Importance of Personal Protective Equipment
By Tarra Boggs Toolbox Talks • 0 Comments

Toolbox Talk – The Importance of Personal Protective Equipment

Date: ____________________________________

Supervisor: _______________________________

Company Name: _____________________________

Job Name: ______________________________

Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety goggles or steel-toe boots, are standard in any contractor worksite. Because contractors work with a wide array of tools and materials, they need special equipment to protect them from various hazards. Although PPE may be introduced when workers are learning safe operating procedures in their initial training, this can fall to the wayside once workers are more comfortable working onsite. It may seem like a hassle to find and wear protective eyewear when performing a quick soldering job, or it may seem like a hassle to find and put on gloves when lifting a wooden pallet. However, accidents occur when they are least expected, and proper PPE presents a formidable barrier between safety and harm.

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Toolbox Talk - Working Safely with Heavy Equipment
By Tarra Boggs Toolbox Talks • 0 Comments

Toolbox Talk – Working Safely with Heavy Equipment

Date: ____________________________________

Supervisor: _______________________________

Company Name: _____________________________

Job Name: ______________________________

Even though your employees all went through training before they could work on-site, it is never a bad idea to refresh their memories and review safety practices. Heavy equipment, such as a bulldozer or a crane, is especially dangerous due to its size, weight, and complex operating procedures. With this Toolbox Talk, you can make sure that your employees both operate and work around heavy machinery with safety as their top priority.

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Toolbox Talk - Accident Investigation Responsibilities
By Tarra Boggs Toolbox Talks • 0 Comments

Toolbox Talk – Accident Investigation Responsibilities

Date: ____________________________________

Supervisor: _______________________________

Company Name: _____________________________

Job Name: ______________________________

It is important to have a thorough structure in place for accident investigations. If management, supervisors, and employees know their roles in the aftermath of an accident, then the cause of the accident can be quickly identified and corrected. When everyone clearly understand their responsibilities after an accident, then the entire company can work together to make the workplace safer for all. Additionally, using critical thinking skills in accident investigations can sharpen your employees’ awareness, and nudge them to use the same skills to recognize potential hazards in the future.

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