In the company I previously worked for, we held toolbox meetings every start of the work week. Being that job as my first as a civil engineer in a construction site, I was so confused what toolbox meetings are for.
My co-engineers just said unanimously, “Just attend because it is important. And the company requires attendance.” But it was only later that I realized how important that activity every Monday was.
Toolbox meetings are informal meetings held as part of any organization’s overall safety program. They are usually conducted at the job site prior to the start of a job or work shift.
Topics being discussed in toolbox meetings cover all safety aspects related to the specific job, focused on work-related hazards and safe work practices. In construction sites where danger is in almost every corner, toolbox meetings are critical.
Photo via Safety Toolbox Topics
Holding toolbox meetings means being reminded of the employees’ and workers’ knowledge in safety, reducing construction risks, preventing accidents and injury, introducing new safety rules and equipment, emphasizing planning and supervision to engineers, and encouraging all workers – engineers and tradesmen included – to discuss their experiences that help in reviewing safety procedures in the future.
And it does not usually take lots of time. It only lasts about 15 minutes, and 30 minutes at most, held in the most convenient place in the site. It should take longer than that as it will bore all involved in what should be a simple discussion about safety matters.
More often than not, this is spearheaded by the construction site’s safety officer. After all, he or she has to make sure that everyone in the workplace is safe. And one of the best ways to do that is through toolbox meetings.
Source: Trade Source
