Benefits of TBTs in Safety Plans

When new tasks are introduced or refresher training is needed on a job, a great way to inform workers is through toolbox talks. A Toolbox Talk (TBT) is a short, safety meeting focused on safety topics relevant to jobsite tasks. These talks can inform, train, refresh, and reorient your workers to prepare them for the job at hand and recognize new hazards that may be present. Today we will review what OSHA says and some benefits surrounding TBTs.
 
What Does OSHA Say?
While OSHA requires job briefings (Job Hazard Analysis) before beginning work, there are no regulations or requirements for TBTs or similar safety meetings. However, this does not mean that TBTs aren’t strongly encouraged. Short, informative meetings like TBTs are great ways to keep safe practices and job hazards in the forefront of everyone’s mind and allow safety to be the driving factor on a job. Reducing recordable incidents is one of the many benefits employers can see when TBTs are used on a regular basis.
 
Benefits of TBTs
Reducing recordable incidents is one of the many benefits of incorporating TBTs into a safety program. Additional benefits can include:

• Promote safety culture and reinforce habits
  • Providing weekly reminders on safety topics and safe practices keeps employees alert and aware of ever changing hazards
• Provide refresher training
  • TBTs can utilize short training sessions to refresh employees on relevant topics and changes that are happening in the industry
• Reduce OSHA citations and recordable rates
  • Having a record of safety training and TBTs will show OSHA your commitment to safety and ultimately lead to your employees being safer on the job

 
Toolbox Talks are great ways to keep safety on everyone’s mind and encourage workers to think safely about the tasks they face. When safety is top of mind, good habits will be formed. To keep the conversation going, download the Health & Safety Plan TBT or comment below.

Health & Safety Plan TBT