Toolbox Talks

Toolbox Talks safety briefings are an easy and efficient way to keep construction employees safe.

What are Toolbox Talks?

These brief meetings offer an opportunity for team members to learn about potential hazards and preventive measures, as well as a chance for the employer to review safety regulations. They are a great way to ensure that everyone is aware of the safety protocols that must be adhered to in order to prevent accidents and injuries on the job site.

Each toolbox talk has been reviewed and approved by a subject matter expert at L&I DOSH.

We also offer safety talks in Spanish and Russian.

NEW! Search Toolbox Talks

Type a search term in the search box below to view English toolbox talks that match your search query. Or, use the category dropdown to view related talks.

SHIP Grant Logo

Funding and support for the Toolbox Talks project and mobile apps has been provided by the State of Washington, Department of Labor & Industries, Safety & Health Investment Project.

Fall Protection Ricardo Ibarra Fall Protection Ricardo Ibarra

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Date Posted: 01/30/2024

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nearly one-third of reportable injuries and 40% of fatalities in construction result from slips, trips, and falls nationally. These injuries result in 50% more days away from work than other injuries.

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Personal Health Ricardo Ibarra Personal Health Ricardo Ibarra

Ergonomic Safety

Date Posted: 01/27/2024

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), About 1.8 million workers report musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), commonly known as strains and sprains, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and back injuries yearly.

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Exposure Ricardo Ibarra Exposure Ricardo Ibarra

Silica in construction

Date Posted: 10/28/2023

OSHA estimates that more than 840,000 workers are exposed to silica levels that exceed the new permissible exposure limit (PEL) annually. Silica is found in many materials common on construction sites, including sand, concrete, rock, mortar, stone, and brick. When workers cut, grind, abrasive blast, jackhammer, or perform other tasks that disturb these materials, dust containing crystalline silica can be released into the air. Workers who inhale this dust are at risk.

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Workplace Ricardo Ibarra Workplace Ricardo Ibarra

Common Safety Mistakes

Date Posted: 09/21/2016

Some of the most dangerous situations arise out of common mistakes that can be easily avoided. This Toolbox Talk will focus on some of the more common (and commonly overlooked) safety issues that should be prevented to help improve safety performance.

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General Work, Workplace Ricardo Ibarra General Work, Workplace Ricardo Ibarra

Housekeeping

Date Posted: 09/08/2016

Lack of proper housekeeping on the job is one safety hazard common to all construction projects. Good housekeeping is one item that can help improve not only the safety on the job, but also the morale and productivity of the workers.

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Exposure Ricardo Ibarra Exposure Ricardo Ibarra

Indoor Air Quality - Green Building

Date Posted: 09/07/2016

Green Building Indoor Air Quality Management helps ensure worker safety and reduces the risk of poor air quality to future users of the finished space. A common responsibility of a site safety coordinator.

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Personal Health Ricardo Ibarra Personal Health Ricardo Ibarra

Material Stacking

Date Posted: 09/05/2016

Practicing safe stacking and racking avoids serious injuries caused by stockpile collapses or by retrieving materials from improperly collected stacks. Safe stacking reduces injury and fire risks, enhancing the efficiency of site paths of traffic.

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Exposure Ricardo Ibarra Exposure Ricardo Ibarra

Silica Exposure

Date Posted: 08/24/2016

Silica is found in many materials common on construction sites, including sand, concrete, rock, mortar, and brick. When workers cut, grind, abrasive blast, jackhammer or perform other tasks that disturb these materials, dust containing crystalline silica can released into the air. Workers who inhale this dust are at risk. Silica can cause serious, sometimes fatal illnesses including a lung disease called silicosis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

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General Work Ricardo Ibarra General Work Ricardo Ibarra

Waste Recycling

Date Posted: 08/14/2016

Waste recycling diverts material from going to the landfill. As waste recycling coordinator positions continue to evolve with the green building industry, there is a lot of opportunity for trade collaboration and coordination between waste recycling and safety supervision.

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Download the FREE
Toolbox Talks App!

Discover, discuss, and document over 150 Toolbox Talks! The Toolbox Talks app makes it simple to find safety talks for both construction and marine industries in English, Spanish, and Russian. Find a talk to review, then document your safety briefing with a signature capture form that generates a PDF of the meeting details that you can email or save to your device.

Toolbox Talks App Screenshots

Funding and support for the Toolbox Talks project and mobile apps has been provided by the State of Washington, Department of Labor & Industries, Safety & Health Investment Project.