One of the most critical tools towards incident prevention and job site safety is not a tool you can even touch, but it is one that you can feel. Communication is defined as an act of transiting and receiving information either written, verbally, or through the use of common systems like symbols, signs, or behavior.
Our crews are busy everyday executing projects of varied complexity which all involve multiple and often complex hazards that pose a risk to their health and safety. They are trained in ways to recognize and protect themselves, their coworkers, and the general public from those hazards either by eliminating or managing them or by the use of an engineered device like PPE (personal protective equipment), barricades, signs, or others.
So what does this all have to do with communication? Well, we communicate those hazards and strategies to each other daily through various methods to protect each other. Every crew, every day, at every shift holds a daily “toolbox safety meeting“; this is held at the jobsite and is conducted by the Project Supervisor or Project Manager and includes a full overview of our jobsite safety plan and specific hazards. Toolbox Safety Talks provide a convenient and effective method of communicating and involving our Employees as well as reinforcing the safety message throughout our teams and can significantly enhance the development of a safe working culture.
We Use Toolbox Safety Talks to:
• Help our Team understand their job responsibilities and how to achieve them.
• Ensure that our Team is ready to do their jobs safely.
• Demonstrate what we expect from our Team members
• Genuinely influence our Team’s performance.
 When we are able to communicate and get buy-in from our Team they are more likely to meet our expectations. Remember, adults learn by discussing things not by hearing things.
 Remember to:
• Arrange for a place conducive to learning
• Actively involve Employees in the discussion
• Apply the Talk to upcoming work activities
• Explain the “why†and the “whatâ€
• Share your experiences and ask for others to share theirs
• Use props and visual aids
• Check Employee understanding
 Make the most of this opportunity. Anything worth doing is worth doing right. The benefits  include greater awareness, with the potential to reduce accident rates, downtime and equipment damage and possibly even save a life.
 Work safe everyone!
Matt Timberlake
Vice President