Back to Basics is a weekly feature that highlights important but possibly overlooked information that any EHS professional should know. This week, we examine toolbox talks and employee participation in safety meetings.
A strong safety culture starts with clear, inclusive communication from the top down and from the bottom up. Safety management and leaders must be able to talk openly with employees and build relationships with them, so that when incidents do occur, all parties are informed of procedures and have a support system for dealing with them. This kind of communication should happen during safety meetings and toolbox talks and can lead to better worker participation in safety programs.
Tips for engagement
Toolbox talks are the five- to 10-minute safety meetings that are held at the beginning of workers’ shifts that typically cover specific topics and can serve as a refresher on best practices. There are many steps that safety managers can take to make toolbox talks more effective, but getting employees to engage and participate is another challenge.
According to Jeremy Stiehl from SafetyTalkIdeas.com, employees need to be engaged in what is being talked about before they can participate meaningfully. Stiehl suggests six different strategies for improving employee participation during toolbox talks.
Diversify the topics of discussion. Often, leaders might get stuck cycling through the same safety topics that workers are likely already familiar with, and this can lead to disinterest and employees not paying attention. Consider changing the topics, and providing context for why a topic is important, rather than just expecting employees to comply with the given safety standards. More background on the subject can also help increase motivation for workers to want to follow procedures and best practices.
Finding new and exciting topics for toolbox talks can be challenging, so employers should seek input for their employees, and get their opinions on what should be discussed. SaferMe provides an extensive list of potential topics for toolbox talks in alphabetical order. For more topic ideas, Ally Safety provides 10 easy toolbox talk ideas here:
Tell stories and share experiences. People often pay better attention to speakers when they are relatable. Safety leaders should consider sharing personal accounts of instances they have been involved in that relate to the topic of the toolbox talk, or just general experiences with safety incidents. This can help workers be more engaged and create a space where they can be vulnerable and open up about their own experiences.
Use other forms of media. Including photos, videos, or infographics in a toolbox talk presentation can provide more stimulation and help employees focus. Different forms of media can also help increase understanding of the topic, as some people are more visual learners. Employees may also be encouraged to bring their own photos or videos to share at the toolbox talk, which can make the meetings feel more collaborative.
Include high-level leadership. Engagement from owners and high-level managers is critical in building that top-down participation in an organization’s safety culture, and that applies to toolbox talks as well. Employees are more likely to pay attention when leadership takes part in the meetings, and it signifies that leadership does care about the safety of its employees and are serious about the safety programs and procedures that are in place at the company.
Have volunteers present topics. Leaders should consider having volunteers prepare an article or story about their own experience for the next toolbox talk and have them present it to their peers. This shows that their input is valuable and that managers want to hear from them and listen to what they have to offer. Asking for volunteers ahead of time gives the participants time to prepare, and it gives managers the opportunity to align their own talking points with what the employee wants to discuss, and to make sure the topic is relevant and accurate.
Call on people to participate. While this strategy can be the most awkward and difficult, it can help increase attention among the workers and help them make sure that they are following along in case they are called on to speak. This can also be necessary to begin a conversation, and as more people begin to speak, others might be more comfortable volunteering information.
For more of Stiehl’s recommendations, visit his website here.