Occupational Health and Safety Blog

25 Safety Topics For Meetings To Discuss For a Better Workplace

Creating a safe and healthy work environment is a legal obligation and critical to maintaining productivity and employee satisfaction. Regular safety meetings play a crucial role in this effort. They provide an opportunity to reinforce safety policies, address concerns, and learn about potential hazards. However, organizing these meetings can often seem daunting, especially when selecting relevant topics that resonate with your team.

To help you facilitate effective discussions about safety, we’ve curated a list of 25 safety topics for meetings. Covering a wide range of issues from ergonomic practices to chemical safety , these topics can help ensure that safety is always at the forefront in your workplace, ultimately leading to a better and safer work environment for everyone.

Safety Meetings

Safety meetings, also known as safety briefings or safety talks, are formal gatherings in a professional setting where employees, management, and sometimes even third-party stakeholders come together to discuss health and safety concerns within the workplace. They typically last between 20 to 45 minutes and can involve a variety of formats, such as presentations, group discussions, or hands-on demonstrations.

The purpose of these meetings is to provide information about existing or potential hazards in the workplace , explain safety protocols and procedures, address any safety concerns or incidents that have occurred, and provide training as part of the organization’s safety program. They also reinforce the importance of safety guidelines and cultivate a safety culture within the organization.

Safety meetings are not usually daily or weekly occurrences. Instead, they tend to occur under specific circumstances, such as onboarding new employees, following a workplace incident, changing industry safety standards or regulations, or introducing new equipment or procedures that may carry additional risks. By maintaining open lines of communication about safety issues, these meetings help ensure the welfare of all employees and contribute to creating a safer, healthier work environment.

Safety Topics For Meetings

Safety Topics For Meetings

Safety topics for meetings are essential to promote a safety culture and ensure everyone’s well-being in the workplace. Here are some safety topics you can consider for your meetings:

1. Slipping, Tripping, and Falling

Slips, trips, and falls constitute some of the most frequent workplace accidents and can result in serious injuries. To mitigate these risks, it is essential to maintain clear, unobstructed walkways and workspaces. Regular cleaning and immediate attention to spills or wet surfaces can prevent slippery conditions.

Additionally, promoting suitable footwear with a good grip can reduce the risk of slips and trips. Adequate lighting is also critical, as it illuminates potential hazards and allows employees to navigate their environment safely. Implementing these practices can significantly reduce the incidence of these common accidents.

2. Ladder Safety

Ladder safety is essential in many workplaces, such as construction sites, warehouses, and offices. Incorrect use of ladders can lead to falls and serious injuries. Employees should be trained on the right way to use ladders, which includes choosing the correct ladder for the task, checking it for any defects before use, setting it up on a firm and level surface, and maintaining three points of contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) at all times while climbing or descending.

The proper methods of ascent, descent, and dismounting should also be covered. Reinforcing these safety measures regularly can prevent ladder-related accidents and ensure a safer work environment.

3. Confined Space Safety

Confined space safety is a critical concern in construction, mining, or manufacturing industries, where employees may need to work in tight, enclosed areas. These spaces can present a range of hazards, including a lack of oxygen, toxic gases, or the risk of fire or explosion. It’s crucial to discuss the specific risks associated with each confined space, the necessary precautions to take before entering (like checking oxygen levels or removing flammable substances), and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

Workers should also be trained in emergency procedures in case of an incident. By addressing these topics, companies can help ensure their employees are prepared and protected when working in these challenging environments.

4. Hazard Communication

Hazard communication is a key safety concern in many workplaces, particularly those involving hazardous substances. Employees should receive training on identifying hazardous materials based on their labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). They should also understand the proper handling procedures to avoid exposure and disposal methods to prevent environmental harm.

The correct use of personal protective equipment when dealing with these substances should also be highlighted if necessary. By improving employees’ understanding of these hazards, businesses can reduce the risk of accidents and ensure safer handling and disposal of dangerous substances.

5. Lockout/Tagout Procedures

Lockout/Tagout procedures are critical in ensuring worker safety while servicing or maintaining machinery and equipment. These procedures involve de-energizing and disabling machinery to prevent unexpected startup or energy release, which could cause harm. Regular discussions about these procedures are essential and should include the step-by-step process of shutting down, isolating, blocking, and securing machines before performing maintenance tasks.

Additionally, they should cover the proper way of applying lockout/tagout devices and the importance of only allowing the individuals who applied them to remove them. By maintaining rigorous lockout/tagout practices, companies can significantly reduce the risk of injuries related to the maintenance of machinery and equipment.

Workplace Safety Topics For Meetings

6. Working at Heights

Working at heights is common in several industries and presents unique fall-related risks. It’s essential to discuss the safety measures needed to mitigate these risks. Employees should be trained on correctly using fall protection equipment, such as harnesses, guardrails, and safety nets, and understand the importance of regular equipment inspections. They should also know how to assess their environment for hazards like unstable surfaces or windy conditions.

Moreover, procedures for safely ascending, descending, and working at height should be covered. By emphasizing these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of fall-related injuries in the workplace.

7. Drug or Alcohol Abuse on the Job

Drug or alcohol abuse on the job is a serious issue that can severely impact an individual’s health, productivity, and workplace safety . It’s crucial to articulate the company’s policy regarding substance use clearly and strictly, highlighting that impairment at work is unacceptable. Employees should be educated about the detrimental effects of substance abuse on their work performance, personal lives, and health.

Organizations should also provide information on resources such as counseling or rehabilitation programs, offering support to those struggling with addiction and fostering an environment of understanding and assistance rather than judgment or punishment.

8. Workplace Violence

Workplace violence, ranging from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults, poses significant safety and health risks. Educating employees about recognizing potential signs of workplace violence, including aggressive behavior, verbal threats, or sudden changes in behavior, is critical. Establishing clear protocols for responding to such situations, including immediate reporting mechanisms, can help prevent escalation.

By cultivating an environment of trust and support, employees will feel encouraged to express concerns about potential violence without fear of retribution, contributing to a safer and healthier workplace.

9. Manual Handling

Manual handling, involving lifting, carrying, moving, or otherwise manipulating objects by hand, is a common cause of workplace injuries . Proper training on safe manual handling techniques is essential to prevent these injuries. This includes understanding the principles of safe lifting (such as lifting with the legs, not the back), knowing when to ask for help or use equipment, and how to safely move or carry loads.

Regular refresher courses can help keep this knowledge up-to-date and reinforce the importance of safe manual handling. Companies can significantly reduce the risk of strains, sprains, and other related injuries by equipping employees with these skills.

10. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a vital safety aspect in many work environments, particularly in healthcare, construction, and manufacturing industries. Proper use of PPE can significantly reduce the risk of injury or exposure to harmful substances.

Employees should be trained on how to use, maintain, and dispose of various types of PPE correctly. This includes understanding which type of PPE is appropriate for different tasks, how to wear it correctly for maximum protection, how to clean and maintain reusable PPE, and how to safely dispose of single-use PPE. Reinforcing these guidelines helps ensure the effectiveness of PPE and promotes a safer working environment.

Safety Meeting Topics

11. Electrical and Fire Safety

Electrical and fire safety are paramount in virtually all work environments. Employers should discuss necessary precautions to prevent electrical shocks, such as not overloading outlets, keeping liquids away from electrical equipment, and not using equipment with damaged cords. Regular electrical equipment inspection and maintenance are essential to ensure they’re in safe working condition.

Regarding fire safety, employees should be educated on preventative measures like proper waste disposal and avoiding the blockage of fire exits. Additionally, fire safety training should be conducted periodically, ensuring that employees know how to use fire extinguishers, understand evacuation procedures, and know emergency exit locations. This comprehensive approach helps minimize the risk of electrical and fire-related incidents.

12. Ergonomic and Workplace Stress

Ergonomics and workplace stress are critical factors in employee productivity and overall well-being. In discussions about ergonomics, employees should learn how to design their workspace for comfort and efficiency, thus reducing strain and the risk of injury. This could include correct seating posture, optimal placement of computer screens, and usage of ergonomic office equipment.

Alongside this, it’s crucial to manage work-related stress by promoting regular breaks, time management, balanced workloads, and fostering a supportive work environment. A holistic approach addressing physical and mental stressors can significantly improve health outcomes and productivity.

13. Reporting Hazards and Incidents

Promptly reporting hazards and incidents is crucial in maintaining a safe workplace environment. Employees should feel encouraged and empowered to report any safety concerns or incidents without fear of reprisal. This reporting allows for quick corrective action, reducing the likelihood of accidents or injuries.

Companies should have clear, straightforward procedures for such reports, including dedicated reporting lines, online forms, or direct communication with safety officers or supervisors. Regular discussions on this topic ensure that all employees know the reporting process and its significance in workplace safety.

14. Chemical Safety

Chemical safety is vital to many workplaces, including labs, factories, and cleaning services. Employees handling chemicals should be trained to use, store, and dispose of these substances safely to prevent accidents , spills, and potential health hazards. They should understand how to interpret Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), which provide detailed information about each chemical’s properties, hazards, protective measures, and safety precautions.

Training should also cover using personal protective equipment when handling chemicals and emergency procedures in case of accidental exposure or spillage. Regularly discussing these procedures helps ensure a safer workplace environment and reduces the risk of chemical-related incidents.

Safety Topics For Work

15. First Aid Training

First aid training is essential to workplace safety, equipping employees with the skills to respond quickly and effectively during medical emergencies. Such training can range from basic skills like wound dressing, CPR, and handling of minor injuries to more advanced practices for specific industries. By understanding these first aid techniques, employees can not only help stabilize a situation until professional medical help arrives but could potentially save lives.

It is recommended that these training sessions be conducted regularly to keep the information fresh and up-to-date. Creating a workplace where employees are confident in responding during emergencies promotes safety and readiness.

16. Equipment Safety

Equipment safety is crucial in many industries, from manufacturing and construction to hospitality and healthcare. All machinery or equipment employees should receive comprehensive training on correct usage, safety protocols, and the risks associated with improper use. This training should include preventative measures like regular equipment inspections, maintenance, and reporting faulty machinery immediately.

Ensuring that each employee is competent in handling their equipment, the risk of injuries due to mishandling or malfunctions can be significantly reduced, leading to a safer and more efficient workplace.

17. Mental Health Awareness

Mental health is a vital aspect of overall employee wellness and productivity. Creating an environment where mental health is acknowledged and supported is important. Regular discussions about the significance of mental well-being, signs of common mental health issues, and stress management techniques can help to destigmatize these topics and encourage employees to seek help when needed.

Additionally, companies should provide resources such as counseling services, mental health days, and wellness programs. Ensuring that employees are aware of these resources and feel comfortable using them is critical in supporting mental health in the workplace.

18. Noise Exposure

Noise exposure in the workplace can lead to permanent hearing loss or other hearing complications over time. Discussing ways to mitigate these risks is crucial in environments with high noise levels. This might include operating noisy machinery during specific hours, maintaining equipment to reduce noise, and creating quiet zones for employees. Alongside these measures, personal protective equipment such as earplugs or earmuffs is often necessary.

Employees should understand the correct usage of such protection and its importance in preventing hearing damage. Regular hearing checks can also help monitor employees’ hearing health and detect any issues early.

19. Office Safety

Office safety, though seemingly straightforward, is important in maintaining employee health and productivity. This includes setting up workstations correctly to minimize strain and discomfort—employees should be aware of the appropriate height for desks and screens, the correct positioning of keyboards and mice, and how to adjust chairs for optimal support. Discussing correct posture can help prevent long-term issues like back pain and repetitive strain injuries.

Additionally, the importance of taking regular short breaks should be emphasized, as this can help reduce fatigue and stress on the body. Companies can help ensure their employees remain healthy and productive by maintaining a safe and comfortable office environment.

20. Emergency Evacuation Plans

Emergency evacuation plans are vital to workplace safety designed to ensure quick and orderly evacuation during emergencies such as fires, earthquakes, or chemical spills. Regularly reviewing these procedures informs employees about the quickest and safest exit routes, meeting points, and roles during an evacuation.

Drills should be conducted periodically to practice these procedures and to identify any areas of confusion or inefficiency that need to be addressed. Ensuring all employees are familiar with these plans and can execute them calmly and efficiently in emergencies can significantly enhance safety and reduce potential harm.

Work Safety Topics

21. Radiation Safety

Radiation safety is a significant concern in workplaces where employees might be exposed to radiation, such as in healthcare facilities, research laboratories, or nuclear power plants. Employees should be trained on the principles of radiation safety, often summarized as time, distance, and shielding – limiting exposure time, maintaining a safe distance from radiation sources, and using appropriate shielding materials.

They should understand the different types of radiation, the potential health effects, and the safety equipment and procedures designed to protect them, such as using dosimeters to monitor exposure and wearing lead aprons when necessary. Regularly revisiting these principles can help ensure employees remain vigilant and well-protected.

22. Fatigue Management

Fatigue management is critical to workplace safety, as tiredness can significantly impair work performance and lead to serious accidents. It’s important to discuss the signs of fatigue, such as persistent tiredness, decreased alertness, slow reaction times, and poor decision-making. Employees should understand the importance of adequate rest and sleep, balanced nutrition, and regular exercise in maintaining energy levels.

Additionally, discuss strategies for managing fatigue, including taking regular breaks, managing workload effectively, and seeking medical advice if persistent fatigue is experienced. By promoting a culture that values rest and recognizes the risks of fatigue, employers can contribute significantly to the overall safety and productivity of the workplace.

23. Safe Use of Power Tools

Safely using power tools is crucial in industries like construction, manufacturing, or woodworking, where these tools are frequently used. Employees should be educated about the proper use, maintenance, and safety precautions associated with each type of power tool they use. This includes understanding the functions and limitations of each tool, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, checking tools for damage before use, and maintaining them correctly to ensure their safe operation.

Emphasizing that tools should only be used for their intended purposes can help prevent misuse-related accidents. Regular discussions and training on these topics help ensure employees operate power tools safely and competently, reducing the risk of injuries.

24. Biological Hazards

Biological hazards can pose a significant risk to health in certain workplaces, such as healthcare facilities, laboratories, or waste management sites. Employees in these settings should be trained to understand the potential risks of exposure to biological agents like bacteria, viruses, or other biohazardous materials. This includes proper use of personal protective equipment, good hygiene practices, safe handling procedures, and disposal methods for biohazardous waste.

Procedures for exposure incidents, including reporting, first aid, and medical follow-up, should also be explained. Regular discussion can help prevent exposure incidents and maintain a safer working environment.

25. Personal Hygiene

Personal hygiene is crucial in maintaining a healthy and safe working environment, particularly in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Regular discussions should be held on best practices, such as regular handwashing with soap and water, using hand sanitizers when soap isn’t available, keeping workstations clean, and practicing good respiratory etiquette, like covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

It’s also important to encourage employees to stay home when feeling unwell to prevent the potential spread of illness. Additional measures like wearing masks or social distancing might be needed in public health crises. Maintaining good personal hygiene benefits everyone and contributes to a healthier working environment.

Prioritizing workplace safety ensures employees’ well-being and fosters a positive work culture and productivity. By discussing the 25 safety topics outlined in this article in your safety meetings, you can create an environment where everyone feels empowered to uphold safety standards.

Remember, creating a safer workplace is a continuous journey that requires regular discussions, ongoing training, and constant vigilance. By investing in these safety talks, you invest in the well-being of your most valuable resource – your employees.

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Bilal Bangash

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Five Different Ideas for Workplace Safety Presentations

Safety presentations can either bore an audience to sleep or provide the tools and knowledge to improve the overall safety program. There is rarely an in-between when it comes to these meetings.

Whether you are a full-time safety professional or a supervisor who has safety responsibilities, you may find yourself tasked with having to put together a safety presentation with no clue of what to present.

five free ideas for safety presentations

This post looks at the difference between a safety presentation and toolbox talks as well as provides free resources and ideas on what to cover at your next meeting.

The Difference Between a Safety Presentation and Safety Toolbox Talk

Depending on where you work, the terms “safety presentation” and “safety toolbox talk” may mean the same thing. In my opinion, a safety presentation, or safety meeting , is a longer and more structured safety training session. A safety presentation usually means a formal safety training session is taking place.

difference between toolbox talk and safety presentation

This usually entails securing a conference room, creating a presentation, having a sign-in sheet, creating a quiz to assess knowledge, making time in the affected employees’ schedule to participate in the safety training, etc.

Note: Visit our online store to purchase complete done-for-you safety meetings or become a member to get access to over fifteen presentations. There are one to two presentations added each month for Members!

What is Covered in a Safety Presentation?

The simple answer is anything can be a topic. A presentation can cover a required OSHA topic, or it can be an in-depth behavioral safety topic as part of an ongoing safety campaign.

There is no hard-and-fast rule, but longer meetings should be dedicated to required topics or topics that are impactful to an organization’s safety goals . These safety topics usually require more time and instruction for employees to be able to fully understand the information.

What is a Safety Toolbox Talk?

Safety talks are a short safety message for the members of a work crew prior to work beginning. These talks can be as short as a few minutes or longer than 20 minutes. On average, they are in the range of 5 or 10 minutes in duration at most companies when conducted often. The talks can cover a range of topics or just a single focal point.

free safety training

These talks are still meetings, but they are shorter in duration and documented via a sign-in sheet. Companies will commonly set aside time each day or week to share a short safety message with employees.

These meetings are great for keeping safety at the forefront of employees’ minds and sharing timely safety information. Due to the short nature of these meetings and not using a quiz to assess the employees’ knowledge, they are often not considered formal safety training sessions.

Please take the time to browse our 250+ free workplace safety talks that can be used as a basis for a presentation!

Need to Find an Idea for a Safety Presentation?

Like many of you reading this, the most difficult part for me is coming up with a topic I want to speak about. The good news is there are an endless number of topics you can choose to talk about when discussing workplace safety .

In this article, I will discuss five different ideas for PowerPoint or Prezi-based safety presentations for longer safety meetings. All of the ideas are based on free information that is provided on this website. The topics are just expanded on to turn them from an informal safety toolbox talk into a longer and professional presentation. You can also check out our post on using safety videos as part of your safety training sessions.

The topics below are tailored more towards behavioral topics since many run-of-the-mill topics such as lockout/tagout, fall prevention, welding, etc. are thoroughly covered throughout the internet. A simple Google search will often yield completed PowerPoints on any general safety topic.

Five Ideas for Safety Presentations at Work for Your Next Safety Meeting

1 – how observant are you: behavioral safety presentation.

This is a safety talk that I wrote that I really think is good for audience engagement and works for many different audiences. Read the safety talk here and then continue reading the rest of the summary below. In short, you use a dollar bill to reinforce the fact of how easy it is to miss the fine details of something we see almost every day. It engages the audience by asking them to provide you with the details of a dollar bill.

dollar bill safety exercise

If they are missing dozens of details on a six-inch dollar bill, what are they missing while at work? The same can be said with the observations they write down on their JSAs.

Use the exercise to show that there are many different observations and hazards that can be written down for any one task. After the exercise, you can go into how the individual workers can improve their observations of the work area or their JSAs.

You can also take actual photos of work areas and discuss the hazards in the photos. Another idea is to ask for stories or experiences of commonly overlooked hazards in the workplace. There are many different ways to expand on this short exercise.

2 – The Idea of the “Large Ripple”: Behavioral Safety Meeting

Ripple Effect Safety

I call this idea the “large ripple”. You can find an article about the large ripple here . Many times, we stress how an injury or incident will affect the INDIVIDUAL, the INDIVIDUAL’s ability to work, the INDIVIDUAL’S family, etc. Well, what about everyone else in the company?

It sounds counterintuitive or weird to even tell someone, right? Let me explain. If an individual feels that his/her choice to take risks and cut corners only affects him/her, they may actually be MORE tempted to work unsafely.

Reinforcing the idea that we not only count on one another to stay safe but also count on each other to work safely so the business can continue is an interesting angle to approach. When the company thrives, everyone continues to work and has job security.

When individuals begin to choose to work unsafely, it not only affects them; it also affects their friends at work, no matter how many miles they are from where an incident occurs.

3 – S.O.R.T. Your Way to a Safer Workplace: Group Activity Safety Meeting

S.O.R.T. stands for Stop, Observe, Recognize, and Take Ownership. You can find the S.O.R.T safety talk here. You can use the acronym to discuss steps to complete a thorough inspection of the work area before starting work. I used this as part of one of my safety presentations and incorporated the tools that have been established by both our client and our company for each of the four steps. For example, a JSA could fall under “Observe,” and training could fall under “Recognize,” as in recognizing hazards.

The steps are not groundbreaking, but they serve as a good model to break down the process and walkthrough observations.

This topic is great to use as a basis for a group activity meeting. The employees can take what they learn from the presentation and walk through each step as it applies to their specific work area and job tasks. Handouts can be created to supplement what was taught in the presentation.

In the member’s area, we have put together a safety presentation combining the Dollar Bill observation exercise, “Large Ripple”, and SORT Tool. Sign up today to download it!

4 – Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as it Relates to Safety: Behavioral Safety Meeting

maslow's hierarchy of needs safety

As management, there are many things we can do so that employees satisfy their physiological needs ( Maslow’s lowest level of the hierarchy) to help them focus on higher levels of personal fulfillment.

While I only discuss the lowest level of the hierarchy in my article, every level could be related to safety in some aspects.

The target audience for this talk is more of a management/supervisor level who can take the message and make improvements at their site for the employees. They can also take the message and make it a focal point for employees to recognize and address how these basic needs can interfere with their ability to fully work safely.

5 – Success is the Fulfillment of Potential: Behavioral Safety Meeting

While this can be a personal mantra, the idea also applies to workplace safety. Every company ultimately strives for zero injuries and zero property damage incidents on a recurring annual basis. While that can be a tough target to hit, it can also be the company’s potential in the realm of workplace safety.

The idea that success is the fulfillment of potentia l can be further discussed at the individual level. From there, cast out how the individual level affects the company on a macro scale. If everyone is fulfilling their potential when it comes to being the safest and most efficient worker they can be, everyone wins.

It is important to drive home the point that fulfillment of potential in just one area does not make someone successful. Someone who is the best dozer operator in the company but cannot get along with others is less successful than an above-average operator who can communicate and work with others.

We all have our strengths and weaknesses, but being self-aware of how we can improve as a person is critical to success. This idea can be paired with the larger ripple discussion mentioned above to make for an effective and different safety presentation.

I hope one of the five topics above has got your wheels spinning on different routes you can take on your next safety presentation. Look at all the safety talks or longer articles in the Safety Pro Blog for additional ideas. Any of these ideas can be paired with other ideas to make an effective presentation.

Even if you have a certain topic you have to cover, think outside the box to refresh it. Conducting safety presentations does not have to be stressful!

Please reach out to me at [email protected] if you have any questions on any of these topics. Sign up for my mailing list below to receive useful resources for safety talks. Please share if you found this or other articles useful.

This site will only continue to exist and grow if other safety pros find value in the content and continue to use it!

Becoming a paid member is the best way to support the site. Members get access to hundreds of additional safety talks, and there are also several done-for-you safety meetings available for download.

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21 Great Topics to Cover at Safety Meetings

Toby Graham / std }}"> March 29, 2022

Tags: Safety Culture / Safety Meeting / Training

Categories: EHS

best safety presentation topics

From personal protective equipment to fire prevention, hazardous waste management, fall protection, and more, there’s no shortage of safety topics to cover with your workforce.

Educating employees on these sorts of safety topics is pivotal to the success of your safety program. It’s how you keep people safe, maximize efficiency, and stay out of trouble with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other regulatory authorities. Safety meetings make certain every member of your team understands the importance of safety  and is doing everything they can to keep themselves and others unharmed.

Are you covering all the safety topics you need to cover with your workforce? Don’t wait until an incident happens to find out you missed something. Top-performing companies  ensure ongoing safety and compliance by making time for safety meetings, which promote awareness of life-saving practices and procedures.

What Is a Safety Meeting?

A safety meeting is more or less what it sounds like: an event to go over and discuss one or more hazards in the workplace.

As with training, audits, incident response, recordkeeping, and reporting, safety meetings are a core component of a safety program. They provide EHS managers with valuable opportunities to explain safety topics in-depth, engage in conversations with employees, and guide the direction of the organization’s safety program.

Note that a safety meeting is not the same thing as a toolbox talk . A toolbox talk is usually informal, brief (about 5 or 10 minutes), and centered on a hazard workers are likely to face that day or week.

Safety meetings are longer and more formal than toolbox talks and tend to focus on larger issues. They’re more than a short conversation or a “heads-up.” A safety meeting may take 20–45 minutes and involve multiple formats, such as a presentation followed by an interactive activity or a group discussion. Think of it as a seminar or learning session rather than a quick huddle.

Here’s a year’s worth of topics to cover in your safety meetings.

For more information, read this guide to safety meetings .

Read the Guide to Safety Meetings

Now that you’ve got some ideas on topics to cover, learn best practices on delivering safety meetings

3 Key Areas to Cover in Safety Meetings

So, what topics should your safety meetings cover? With dozens of potential topics , making a choice can feel overwhelming. To help you out, we’ve narrowed it down to a manageable list of 3 key areas that impact your employees, with some ideas to expand up on from there. Ready? Let’s take a look.

1. Areas OSHA’s Focusing On in Your Industry

OSHA’s pretty transparent about what they’re citing in different industries . You might as well get ahead of the curve and make sure your workforce is trained up on these topics. A focus on these will help ensure you stay out of OSHA’s crosshairs.

To save you some digging, here are the top ones for specific industries:

Manufacturers, check out this list.

Dealers, your list is here.

Here are  the top 5 for Construction.

Across the board, here are the  OSHA Top 10:

Visit the OSHA Top 10 Resource Hub

Learn why OSHA violations happen, what you stand to lose when you get hit with one, along with warning signs to look out for.

Fall Protection

Respiratory protection, hazard communication, lockout/tagout, personal protective equipment (ppe), powered industrial trucks, machine guarding.

Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common workplace injuries, which make them prime candidates for safety meeting topics. Your employees should be aware of fall causes and risk factors (such as wet and uneven surfaces) along with how to protect themselves and minimize the chances of a fall. It’s so important, it’s covered in multiple spots in the top 10.

Learn more about fall protection.

Contaminated air in your facilities can cause health problems ranging from bronchitis and emphysema to cognitive issues and cancer. It’s imperative that any worker exposed to hazardous air knows how to protect themselves by using a respiratory device. That requires an understanding of the different kinds of respirators, knowledge of fit testing, an awareness that regular medical evaluations are required, and more.

Learn more about respiratory protection.

Unlabeled and mislabeled chemicals pose serious dangers to employees—and can result in major regulatory penalties. A safety meeting is an ideal opportunity to discuss this topic. Your workforce should be familiar with the dangers of chemical exposure, the ins and outs of your hazard communication plan, and how to use your library of material safety data sheets.

Learn more about hazard communication.

Do your employees know how to safely depower dangerous machines? Explain the importance of controlling hazardous energy as well as every step of your organization’s lockout/tagout procedures. Typical minimum procedures require the following: 1. notify employees affected, 2. shut down equipment, 3. isolate the source of energy, 4. attach the lockout device, 5. release or restrain any energy stored within the machine, and 6. verify the lockout.

Learn more about lockout/tagout.

PPE such as goggles, masks, harnesses, and gloves protect your employees from various hazards and injuries. Deliver a safety meeting to make sure your workforce knows the types of PPE they need to wear—and how to wear it properly—as well as the fundamentals of PPE inspections and maintenance.

Learn more about PPE.

Forklifts, which OSHA likes to call “powered industrial trucks,” are useful vehicles. Countless businesses rely on forklifts to move large/heavy objects.

However, the things that make forklifts useful also make them dangerous. Accidents happen throughout businesses and industries. Loads can fall and crush people. Forklifts can tip over, injuring drivers and workers nearby. Pedestrians can get hit, which is especially common in workplaces where a lot of people are moving around on foot.

Learn more about powered industrial trucks

Industrial equipment poses many dangers to your workforce. Help your employees use heavy machines safely and efficiently by discussing the various hazards and then going over the machine guarding controls—such as barriers, light curtains, and two-hand trips—that may be in place in your facility.

Learn more about machine guarding.

Beyond industry-specific topics, OSHA’s focused on regional topics as well. Think construction inspection in region 9 in the southwest and fall hazards in region 1 in the northeast.

Check out the local emphasis programs in play in your region.

2. Issues Impacting Your Workforce

Regardless of your industry or where you’re located, there are some issues that impact your workforce across the board. Consider covering these topics in your safety meetings.

Incident/Accident Investigation

Drugs on the job, workplace violence, fire safety, worker fatigue.

Your employees should understand how to report incidents and accidents ( in a perfect world, through their EHS software. )

This is a great time to review recent accidents and near misses, understand the root causes, and help workers understand the costs of these accidents – both personal and to the company as a whole.

Employees using drugs at work are far more likely to get injured. There are many harmful implications of using drugs while working. Examples include job turnover, loss of time, reduced alertness and productivity, unexplained absences, and increased vulnerability to accidents. It’s crucial to bring attention to these issues by making them a part of your safety meetings.

Workplace violence training typically covers effective prevention strategies as well as how to respond to disgruntled employees, active shootings, bomb threats, and suspicious packages. 

Sample KPA’s workplace violence training

In its most basic form, first aid is initial emergency care given to an ill or injured person, just until a professional medical service arrives in place. It can help save lives, hinder temporary and long-term disabilities, and prevent any emergency situation from becoming worse. With this in mind, it makes a good business strategy to train your employees on the basics of first aid as it will help you secure a healthier, safer workplace environment for your workers.

A fire at your facility can jeopardize lives and property. Besides highlighting the importance of being prepared, your workforce should know how to prevent fires, how to effectively contain a fire if one breaks out, and the details of your emergency action plan.

Sample KPA’s Fire Prevention training online training.

KPA’s Fire Prevention for On-Site Training

This is a concern in many industries particularly when shift work comes into play. Rested, healthy workers are a win-win situation.

3. Environmental Issues

Think about this in terms of the impact we have on the environment as well as the impact the environment has on our workforce.

Heat Illness

Winter weather safety, summer weather safety, chemical spills and leaks, hazardous waste management.

This one’s timely since OSHA’s ramping up enforcement on this issue. Topics to cover include heat stress and how can you avoid it? You’ll want to explain the causes of heat stress and heat illness and preventive measures. 

KPA’s Heat Stress Prevention on-site training.

Is your workforce prepared for the winter weather? Share some winter weather tips to keep your folks safe.

We’ve collected a ton of them here.

Excessive heat, natural disasters, and other major safety concerns unique to this season often rear their ugly heads on our job sites.

We’ve collected some suggestions on how to keep your employees safe.

Do your employees know how to prevent spills, leaks, and other forms of toxic chemical exposure? Are they prepared to act quickly in the event of an emergency? Give your employees the tools and knowledge they need by discussing this topic at a safety meeting—you could even conduct a simulated chemical spill scenario.

Take KPA’s Chemical Spills and Leaks Pop Quiz.

The EPA has numerous requirements governing the handling of hazardous waste. Be sure your employees are knowledgeable about subjects such as hazardous waste regulations, waste determination, generator status, storage, labels, inspections, accumulation limits, and waste pickup.

Learn 4 hazardous waste management and environmental documentation best practices.

The Key to Building a Strong Safety Culture is Continual Reinforcement

Practice, practice, practice – that’s the way to build “safety muscles” across your workforce. Supplement your safety meetings with other vehicles that demonstrate you care about safety. Reinforce your safety meeting topics with online training . Keep safety top of mind by sharing quick incident recreations and questions of the day.

Want to improve your organization’s training program as quickly and cost-effectively as possible?

You’ve come to the right place. KPA offers award-winning training courses that are…

  • available  online  and  on-site , led by our safety Risk Management Consultants,
  • designed to help employees improve their performance on the job and improve compliance, and
  • based on real-world stories and examples.

Check out some sample topics in our  training library. 

Or,  contact us for help putting together an effective training program for your business.

Get Help Running Effective Safety Meetings and Keeping Safety Top of Mind for Your Employees

Thousands of companies like yours depend on KPA to minimize risk and maximize workforce safety. Our combination of EHS software, expert consultingservices, and award-winning training makes it easy to unite your employees around your safety program and build a genuine safety culture in your workplace. We’ll help you plan and conduct safety meetings, educate your employees on critical EHS topics, keep track of compliance, and much more.

Contact us.

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Creating an Effective Workplace Safety Topics Presentation

Picture this: You’ve got your team gathered. You’ve got a list of safety topics and you have slides packed with useful data. There’s just one problem: your audience is checked out from the first slide.

Here’s the thing: you could have the most useful safety information available, and it won’t do you any good if your audience isn’t engaged.

The trick is knowing how to get their attention (and deliver the information they need). Here are three tips to help you create an effective safety topics presentation.

Get Creative

Start by shaking up your approach to your safety topics presentation. Put away the PowerPoint slides (for now). Break out the drawing board. Get creative.

If you recite the same set of health and safety facts , your employees are going to tune out, just like they may always have. They’re expecting the same old presentation. They’ll pay attention if you give them something different.

Your job is to get people to imagine. One way to drive home the point is a simple exercise with a dollar bill.

Get out your wallet, pull out a dollar bill, show it to your listeners, give them a moment to inspect it, then put it out of sight and ask them to describe the bill. Chances are, they can only describe the most obvious details, even after you show them the bill.

The point is simple: if they’re missing so many details on a little green slip of paper, how many details are they missing in a dynamic work environment? Then, segway into exercises to improve their workplace observational skills.

Incorporate Humor

One of the best ways to bring your listeners into the presentation is to incorporate humor (in a non-cringe worthy way). Laughter has been shown to bring people together , making a group think of each other more positively.

Humor also makes it easier to discuss serious topics, like workplace safety, provided that you take the right approach to humor.

One way to do this is to use funny photos or videos to illustrate mistakes. Not gross ones, mind you - funny ones. The idea is to get the room to laugh, then get them to elaborate on how serious a workplace accident could have been. The humor gets their attention and makes them more likely to internalize the message.

Encourage Two-Way Discussions

It seems obvious, but two-way discussions are infinitely more useful than monologues in safety training . Almost anything that deviates from the standard lecture-style presentation is more likely to register with your audience.

One basic way to start the discussion is by asking three questions:

  • What is the biggest safety challenge you face on the job?
  • If you could change one thing tomorrow, what would it be?
  • What advice would you give to someone for their first day on the job?

However, remember our last two points: get creative, and incorporate humor.

Start with a personal analogy. Tell a story about yourself or the department. Then, encourage employees to tell their own stories. From there, you can segway those analogies into your safety points.

Building a Safety Presentation Your Team Actually Learns From

Building a  safety meeting is not for the faint of heart. You’re not just presenting financial numbers or selling a product – you’re sharing information with your colleagues that could save lives.

The trick, as a presenter, is creating a safety presentation that your team actually listens to and learns from.

The good news is that you can engage even the most withdrawn room, provided that you have the right tools for the task. Here are a few to help get you started.

If you want to improve your presentation, start with the basics: practice.

Of course, as a safety professional (and likely a leader in your department) it can be difficult to find the time in a day to practice your presentation, much less practice it multiple times. But if you really want to impress your audience, practice really does make perfect.

This is especially true if you’re a nervous presenter or not naturally extroverted. If either of those applies to you, winging it is a recipe for stammering, rambling, and losing your train of thought (a.k.a. the essential ingredients for a boring, uninformative presentation).

Start by writing a script . You don’t have to type every word you’ll say, but having a pretty clear outline that makes it easy to work through all your key points is helpful.

Then, practice your speech out loud. There’s no better way to ferret out phrases that trip you up. If your goal is to speak without the text, practice with the text until you can comfortably repeat the text without any hiccups, then gradually wean yourself off the script. But keep the script with you for your presentation, just in case nerves set in.

Focus on Your Audience, Not Yourself

Once you’ve got your half of the presentation ironed out, it’s time to focus on the real star of the show: your audience .

Despite the fact that everyone is looking at the presenter, the real center of attention is the audience. After all, the presenter is there to teach the audience or convince them of something, which means that the best presenters are the ones who focus on delivering value for their listeners.

This is especially true of safety presentations, where your aim is to teach colleagues how to work safely .

How do you focus on the audience?

Start by focusing on what you want them to take away from this presentation. Think about what they should learn by the time you’re done talking. This allows you to focus on content and tailor your content for that purpose, instead of focusing on how you look or sound.

Have a Secondary Goal

Let’s say that you’re giving your safety presentation. You went in thinking the content will be a winner, but as you talk, it becomes increasingly clear that your presentation is falling flat.

At this point, most people do one of two things: try too hard to make up the gap or give up.

The best way to rally a faltering presentation is to plan ahead. You know your primary goal, but if that primary goal isn’t translating, have a secondary goal in mind so that you can shift the presentation so that your audience walks away with something.

Building a Better Safety Presentation

Here’s the good news: when you get in the swing of delivering a memorable, interactive presentation, your next safety presentation will be that much easier.

The key to a better safety presentation is simple: know what you’re trying to accomplish and make plans for the presentation centered around that goal. Once you do that, it becomes that much easier to build an effective presentation (and a more effective safety meeting overall).

If you need more advice to make your next meeting a success, make sure to check out our blog for more great posts, like these eight tips to share at your next safety meeting.

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10 Crucial Safety Topics for Work to Discuss With Your Employees

Pulpstream can help you streamline your safety and risk processes.  Book a demo  today!

Workplace safety is a key concern for any business, and it is the responsibility of every employer to ensure a safe and healthy work environment and culture. The importance of workplace safety is highlighted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which reported 4,764 work-related fatalities and about 2.7 million nonfatal workplace injuries in the U.S. in 2020.

Regular safety training sessions, safety meetings, and safety talks that raise awareness about relevant safety topics for work can play a key role in fostering a safe working culture. And although work in the manufacturing or construction industries come with more inherent risks, it is important that workers in all industries (even those with desk jobs) are alert and aware of any risks to their safety and well-being at work.

This article will cover some of the popular ways to keep safety at the forefront of people’s minds, and recommend some important safety topics for work that you can cover during those meetings.

Types of Safety Talks

There are a few different kinds of talks that leaders give their team about safety, based on the circumstance. They include:

Safety Meetings

These are events held specifically to discuss hazards in the workplace. They are usually formal and last for about 20-45 minutes, involving multiple formats like presentations and group discussions. During these safety meetings, leaders usually cover various safety topics for work in depth and train their employees according to the organization’s safety program.

Since they take time and are formal sessions, workplace safety meetings are not held every day or every week. Instead, they are held in specific circumstances such as during onboarding of new team members, following a mistake or workplace incident , or when industry safety standards change.

Toolbox Talks

Toolbox talks or safety moments are usually informal, brief talks (about 5-10 minutes) that convey a safety message of the particular day or week. These are like a daily or weekly huddle, imparting general safety tips or addressing a specific hazard that workers may face during that particular day, week, or project.

These can cover a variety of topics and provide a regular opportunity for employees to discuss safety issues with their coworkers. Since they promote regular conversations around safety, they play a major role in cementing a safety culture in the workplace, whether it’s an office job or a risky job site.

10 Important Safety Topics for Work

Topics during any safety talk, be it a more formal safety meeting or a routine toolbox talk, can vary. They can include anything from general safety tips to covering specific risks around an ongoing project or updating the team on new COVID-19 protocols. Here are some ideas of safety topics for work that you can talk about during these meetings.

1. Ergonomic and Workplace Stress

entrepreneur-holding-her-neck-and-back (1)

Ergonomic stress, be it in a comfortable office with climate-controlled conditions, or in physically demanding jobs like manufacturing, can cause long-lasting and painful conditions. Employees should be aware of the risk factors related to sedentary jobs (which cause problems like carpal tunnel syndrome) or strenuous physical labor such as lifting, assembling, or pulling (which could cause chronic body aches and pains or even permanent musculoskeletal disorders). 

Employees should be made aware of proper ergonomic practices and should regularly stretch and exercise to avoid such injuries.

But physical stress is not the only thing that leaves a mark. Work-related stress, depression, burnout, and anxiety can also cause occupational health issues. Communicating stress management techniques to your employees and creating a work environment that promotes asking for help and open communication about workplace stress promotes a healthy work culture.

2. Slipping, Tripping, and Falling

Slips, trips, and falls can occur in any industry, and they occur more often than one might think. They can cause minor to severe workplace injuries including bruises, cuts, and fractures, as well as permanent impairments like damage to the spinal cord. 

So, even if it may seem obvious, educating employees on fall protection is helpful. This can include identification of the most common slip, trip, and fall hazards such as slippery floors, poor lighting, and unsuitable footwear, and how to reduce risk by wearing nonslip footwear and using wet floor signs.

3. Drug or Alcohol Abuse on the Job

The abuse of drugs or alcohol at work can affect employees’ physical and mental state, significantly increasing their risk of injury. They also face a wide range of other problems such as loss of productivity, absenteeism, accidents, and, in high-risk jobs, even fatalities. 

Opening a conversation about all the hazards tied to substance use would encourage employees to take responsibility in building a safer, drug-free environment. This makes it an important topic to address in a safety meeting or talk.

4. Workplace Violence

Workplace violence is disturbingly common in the U.S., with the National Safety Council reporting over 20,000 injuries due to workplace violence in 2020. This kind of violence can be a result of employees, customers, or visitors engaging in disruptive behavior. Violence includes threat of violence, harassment, or even homicide. 

Safety talks should address this issue, cover strategies to prevent violence such as recognizing risk factors, and outline the policies and procedures your organization has to deal with such violent acts.

5. Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Safety topics for work: mechanical engineer checking a machine

PPE, the specialized gear (clothing and equipment) that workers use to protect themselves from hazards, is especially important in industrial worksites. 

If your workers deal with hazardous chemicals, heavy construction equipment, high heat or electricity levels, loud equipment, etc., they should know what PPE they need to be safe on the job (such as hard hats, industrial gloves, eye protection, and more). They should also know how to use, store, and maintain the protective equipment. 

It would also be useful if they know why they need such protection and the risks associated with not using the relevant PPE.

6. Electrical and Fire Safety

Both electrical and fire hazards exist in all workplaces, whether they’re IT offices or job sites handling heavy machinery and power tools. 

Electrical incidents can be highly damaging — live wire contacts can cause major electric shocks, short circuits and overheated wires can cause fires, and an arc flash can result in burns or even blindness. Most such incidents can be prevented if your employees know and follow electrical safety measures, and the harm can be mitigated if they know what to do in case of an incident. This makes it a crucial topic to address as part of regular safety instructions.

Fire risk can also be reduced if proper care is taken and safety measures are followed. But accidents do happen, and having an emergency plan in place is vital to prevent major injuries or fatalities. 

Employees need to know how to minimize the effects of fire and prevent it from spreading, where fire extinguishers are placed and how to use them, quick evacuation routes to use when necessary, and the right use of alarm systems. Of course, practical training through fire drills or other methods is required (and mandated by OSHA ) to ensure that the employees know what they’re doing. But reminding them of key points such as the location of emergency exits during the safety meetings would be useful.

7. Reporting Hazards and Incidents

One of the most important ways to prevent accidents is for your workers to keep an eye out for hazards or unsafe conditions at work and report to the relevant authorities as soon as they notice something. For this, they need to know the common hazards in your organization and the protocol for reporting them. 

Of course, no amount of risk prevention measures can make your workplace 100% safe. Accidents happen, and employees also need to know how to report them quickly and accurately. Swift reporting helps with handling work injuries as well as managing any insurance claims that might result from the incident. So, reporting both hazards and incidents is an important safety topic to cover.

8. Basic First Aid Training

Man checking in on his colleague who's in pain

First aid can go a long way towards reducing the effects of accidents in the workplace. Basic first aid can hinder disability and even save lives. 

You can create a more secure work environment by training all employees in simple first aid procedures like treating bleeding and fire burns, CPR, immediate response to sprains or fractures, and nursing a person who’s fainted. It would also be useful to remind employees where they can find first aid kits, defibrillators, respirators, and other equipment during toolbox talks.

9. Online Safety

Since a lot of work is online these days, cybersecurity is now a critical safety topic in itself. Cyber threats can cause a large amount of financial, legal, and personal damage (i.e., breach of privacy of employees) to an organization, so online safety training is quite crucial. 

You need to ensure that employees know and follow the best practices related to online work, including guidelines for protecting sensitive information, maintaining strong passwords, using a two-step verification process, etc. Employees also need to know what protocols to follow in case of a cyber incident , so that’s another topic to focus on.

10. Equipment Safety

Employees must know how to safely use job-specific equipment. Even if they have skills and experience, training them on the safety measures to adopt while using your specific equipment goes a long way towards ensuring their safety. Employees need to be aware of the safe use of every piece of equipment they are likely to come in contact with.

Another part of safe equipment use involves lockout and tagout procedures. These involve isolating energy sources before the machines are repaired or worked on, and proper locking and tagging during maintenance or cleaning procedures. Toolbox talks must cover these procedures, discussing how to lock out the machines, what tags to use, and how to identify that a machine is locked out.

Streamline Workplace Safety With Pulpstream

Thinking up relevant safety topics for work to talk about with your employees may seem daunting, especially since it spans a whole spectrum. From simple trips and falls to CPR training and fire safety, everything is important to ensure a safe and healthy workplace. While the above list of topics may be a good guide to start with, it is certainly not exhaustive, and you may have additional topics to discuss based on safety issues specific to your organization.

Attempting to cover every possible safety issue, plus providing adequate training and maintaining safety checklists and workflows, could get difficult and maybe even confusing. But Pulpstream’s various solutions can help keep things in order. You can automate tedious processes and documentation related to safety training, keep workflows and checklists in order, and streamline safety communications to your employees with a single digital solution.

Allow Pulpstream to ease your way into a safe and healthy work environment for your employees. Book a free demo today!

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  • Toolbox Talks

24th February, 2022

The Best 100 Safety Topics For Daily Toolbox Talks

It can be hard to think of ideas for health and safety toolbox talks, but luckily, there are many subjects you can use. Check out these 100 safety topics to help you get started. You will also find out why we picked each topic, who needs to hear it, and what information to cover.

The Best 100 Safety Topics For Daily Toolbox Talks header image

You might know you should be doing toolbox talks regularly , but preparing one every week or every day can be difficult. And if you don't know what to write about, it's even harder to get started. Where should you start?

Start with a subject.

Each toolbox talk you deliver should focus on just one topic. Having a single subject to focus on means you can cover the essential points without taking up too much time. Toolbox talks should be short and relevant.

So remember. One talk. One topic.

But what should that topic be?

In this post, we will list the best 100 safety topics you can cover. We will also give you some information on each topic, why it is important for health and safety, and what to cover.

The topics are listed in alphabetical order, rather than order of importance - because this will depend on the tasks and activities you do. We have included who the talk is for and when each subject is best delivered.

Plus, we will give you some free toolbox talk templates, so you can get started delivering daily toolbox talks right away!

You can download toolbox talks pre-completed for a variety of subjects from our library!

1. Abrasive Wheels

Your talk can cover the risks from abrasive wheels, including contact, burst discs, entanglement, dust, noise and vibration exposure, to discuss the issues and how to help keep your workforce safe.

Best for: Any worker using abrasive wheels

2. Accident Costs

Accidents cost lives. They can also have a massive financial impact on the business and the people involved. Talk about the costs, and give everyone an incentive to prevent accidents.

Best for: Everyone

3. Accident Prevention

They say good safety doesn't happen by accident, and it's true. For this topic, you can discuss reasons why accidents can occur and how best to prevent them. You can cover control measures, safety rules and safety equipment.

4. Accident Reporting

Accident reporting is a legal requirement, so you can use this topic to familiarise your team with the need to report accidents and the procedures in place. You could also discuss RIDDOR requirements and the different types of reportable injuries and diseases.

Start this talk by raising the issues around alcohol at work, where to go to get help, and the increased risks workers are exposed to when they are under the influence of alcohol. And if you have an alcohol policy , you can also cover your procedures.

6. Asbestos Awareness

Asbestos is known as the hidden killer, and this topic is especially important in the construction industry. In fact, it's so important you can download the free asbestos awareness toolbox talk template and get started delivering this talk right away.

Best for: Construction workers and anyone who may get exposed to asbestos

7. Asbestos Surveys

Use this talk to discuss the two types of asbestos survey and when each one is needed. You should cover the management survey and the refurbishment and demolition survey for this topic.

Best for: Work in any pre-2000 building that may contain asbestos

8. Behaviour

Everyone's behaviour and attitude towards safety is important to create a safe working environment. Use this talk to encourage safe behaviour and allow your team to raise any concerns.

9. CDM Regulations

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (known as CDM) apply to all construction work. No matter where you do it or how long for, CDM applies. CDM is a good topic to cover, especially in construction or if you have construction projects planned. Download free CDM toolbox talks for all duty holders.

Best for: Construction work

Nearly every workplace will use or produce hazardous substances at some stage, from cleaning chemicals to dust and gases. Use the free COSHH assessment template to get started with this topic.

11. COSHH Assessment

Thousands of workers are made ill every year through exposure to hazardous substances. Make your team aware of the legal requirements surrounding COSHH assessments. You could start with a talk about COSHH symbols and what they mean.

12. Confined Spaces

Confined spaces are hazardous due to restricted access and an enclosed atmosphere, making any issues that happen much more serious. This topic is good to cover before you do any confined space work, discussing access, rules, communication and emergency arrangements.

Best for: Work involving confined spaces

13. Considerate Contractor

Being a considerate contractor means being a good neighbour and considering others who may be affected by your activities. It can help projects run smoothly and reduce the risk of problems. Get your team on board by covering this topic near the start of your project.

Best for: Construction sites

14. Construction Site Rules

Another talk for the start of your project, maybe during your inductions. You can cover behaviour, PPE and site rules. Check out the construction site rules toolbox talk template for inspiration.

Best for: Construction inductions

15. DSE Display Screen Equipment

Display Screen Equipment (DSE) is any screen with a major role in displaying information, think computers, laptops, tablets and phones. Over the past few decades, this technology has become indispensable in most workplaces, so why talk about it? Because if not used correctly, DSE can be associated with neck, shoulder, back or arm pain, as well as with fatigue and eyestrain.

Best for: Office workers and those using display screen equipment for work

16. DSE Exercises

Talking about DSE, there are several exercises you can do to help reduce the problems associated with DSE use. Who said health and safety had to be expensive? Some simple, free to do and no equipment necessary exercises can help DSE users avoid aches and strains. Cover shoulders, arms and eyes.

17. Demolition

Demolition work is one of the most dangerous construction site activities, with risks from collapse, falls, hazardous materials and services. You want to make sure you cover this topic before you start demolition work, no matter how small.

Best for: Construction sites involving demolition work

18. Dermatitis

Dermatitis is inflamed sore skin, which can be very painful. This skin condition happens through contact with something that irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction. It can affect workers in many industries, such as construction (contact with irritants like cement) and health (excessive hand washing).

Best for: Anyone with regular skin contact with substances or water

You are far more likely to have an accident when under the influence of drugs. And this is true of both illegal drugs and prescribed drugs. Even common over the counter cold and flu medicines can cause drowsiness, reducing alertness and increasing reaction time.

Dust can be a hazard or just a nuisance. Both types of dust (hazardous and nuisance) can be harmful to workers through breathing dust into the lungs, swallowing dust, eye contact and skin contact.

Best for: Work activities creating dust or in dusty environments

21. Electrical Safety

Electrical hazards are present in most workplaces, from services within buildings to electrical tools and equipment used, underground services, and overhead services. And if you are not sure what to cover for this topic, we have got you sorted with the free electrical safety toolbox talk template .

Best for: Work with or around electrical equipment

22. Excavations

You will often find excavations on building sites - for foundations, service trenches and other underground structures. If you work in construction you are likely to be working close to excavations, even if you are not directly involved. Use the free excavations toolbox talk template to cover the key information around this subject.

Best for: Construction and utility workers

23. Eye Protection

You might have two eyes, but it's best to keep them both. Eye protection helps keep your eyesight safe for the future. It gives you a barrier from small flying particles such as dust and fumes, liquid splashes, and larger projectiles.

Best for: Anyone needing to wear eye protection at work

24. Fire Action

This topic covers what to do in the event of a fire in the workplace. Quick action in the event of a fire can reduce the effects of the fire, minimise the spread of the fire and save lives. Everyone should know what to do should a fire occur in their workplace, cover this topic when someone starts working in a new site or premises, and regularly refresh.

Best for: Inductions and refreshers

25. Fire Extinguishers

Different types of fire extinguishers are suitable for different types of fire. Using the wrong one could do more harm than good. Get the free fire extinguishers toolbox talk as a quick reminder.

26. Fire Prevention

Each year UK fire brigades attend over 40,000 fires in workplaces. And every year, more than 40 people are killed and over 2500 injured in these fires. This topic is one of the best 100 because preventing fires saves lives, and fire prevention is relevant in all workplaces. You can include the fire triangle and how to keep the elements (heat, fuel, and oxygen) apart.

27. Fire Safety

Fire safety is the fourth fire topic on our list. This talk helps to raise awareness of fire risks. Use it to discuss fire safety issues to help keep your workforce safe. It may touch upon both fire prevention and fire action, along with the specific fire safety arrangements for your workplace.

28. First Aid

First aid at work is a legal requirement, and covering this topic could save a life. Make sure that everyone knows what first aid arrangements are in place by delivering a talk about it! To help you remember the main points, you can use the free first aid toolbox talk template .

Best for: Everyone but especially appointed persons and first aiders

29. Flammable Liquids

The storage and use of flammable liquids is a significant safety hazard and fire risk unless you follow the correct safety principles and control measures. Flammable liquids are present in most workplaces. Each year people are injured at work by flammable substances accidentally catching fire or exploding.

Best for: Any workplace storing or using flammable liquids

30. Forklift Loads

A forklift trucks primary purpose is to lift and carry heavy loads. Failing to secure a load or carrying an unstable load can affect the balance and operation of equipment, leading to accidents. If you use forklift trucks, make sure you cover this topic as one of your daily safety talks.

Best for: Forklift truck operators

31. Forklift Use

Why is this topic important? It might surprise you to know that forklift trucks are involved in about a quarter of all workplace transport accidents. Use this toolbox talk to detail the risks from forklift trucks and the rules and procedures needed to use forklifts safely.

Best for: Any workplace with forklift trucks

32. Gas Safety

Gas is a fuel used in millions of buildings, vehicles and equipment across the UK. Keep this talk focused on the need for proper use, installation, and maintenance of gas equipment. You can also discuss the risks of gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Best for: Anywhere with gas services or equipment

33. Good Housekeeping

Is cleanliness next to godliness? I don't know about that. But poor housekeeping can cause slips, trips and falls and also increase the risk of fire. Keeping the work area tidy minimises these risks. Download the free good housekeeping toolbox talk to get this talk ticked off your list.

34. HSE Powers

HSE inspectors may visit a site or workplace, without notice, as part of a random inspection, a targeted inspection looking at a particular type of workplace or location, or due to information received. Make your workforce aware of what to expect if you get a visit from the HSE.

Best for: Managers and supervisors

35. Hammers

Hammers are a widely used piece of equipment found in most toolboxes. Hammers can be hazardous if incorrectly used, causing them to break. Even when used correctly, hammers create projectiles from the materials they are striking. Use this topic to talk about the precautions needed when using this tool.

Best for: Tradesmen

36. Hand Protection

We use our hands for tasks at work every day, so your hands are the most likely part of you to come into contact with hazardous materials or substances. Gloves can protect from cuts, burns and other skin damage. When safety gloves are not correctly selected, used or stored, failures can lead to skin exposure to hazardous substances (chemicals or some natural products).

Best for: Manual handling and contact with hazardous materials or substances

37. Hand Tools

Faulty tools or tools incorrectly used can cause nasty injuries and produce poor quality work. Use this topic to encourage your team to think carefully about tool selection and using tools correctly. Download the free hand tools toolbox talk to help you deliver this talk.

38. Hard Hats

Hard hats are usually a requirement in high-risk environments such as construction sites or where there is overhead work. You can replace a hard hat, but you can't replace your head. If there is any risk of injury to the head, then hard hats are required by law, so use this topic to cover the risk of head, brain and spinal injuries and the importance of putting a lid on it.

39. Harmful Substances

Many materials or substances used or created at work can be harmful to health. Raise awareness of the risks associated with substances used or produced at work that are harmful to health, and discuss the issues and good practice.

Best for: Anyone who may be exposed to harmful substances

40. Horseplay

Any messing around, using tools or equipment not as intended, and failing to follow safety procedures can be horseplay. Use this topic to explain why horseplay is dangerous and how unsafe acts cause most accidents at work.

Best for: Everyone especially new or inexperienced workers

41. Infections at Work

You could get infected by bacteria, fungi, viruses or parasites. Most cases of infection are reported by healthcare workers, with the most common type of infection being diarrhoeal disease. The coronavirus pandemic has increased awareness around preventing cross-infection in the workplace .

Best for: Healthcare

42. Ladders

More accidents involve ladders than any other piece of work equipment. You can use the free ladder use toolbox talk to get the facts for this topic. On average 12 people die each year at work falling from ladders, and over 1200 suffer major injuries. In this talk, you should cover the rules and requirements for safe ladder use.

Best for: Tradesmen and anyone who may use a ladder at work

Exposure to lead can harm health and cause diseases. People are most at risk during industrial and construction processes that create lead dust, fumes or vapour. Talk about lead exposure and the procedures you need to follow to stay safe when working with lead.

Best for: Work with lead

44. Legionella

Any water system with the right environment could be a source for legionella bacteria growth. This topic should cover the conditions where you are most at risk and the procedures needed to prevent legionella.

Best for: Water systems

45. Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a serious and sometimes fatal bacterial infection transmitted from infected rats and cattle, which you may know as Weil’s disease. Cover the symptoms of the disease, and use the talk as an opportunity to discuss the controls needed.

Best for: Work near water, rats and cattle

46. Lifting Equipment

If you carry out lifting operations, then you need to know about lifting equipment. Lifting equipment is any work equipment used to lift and lower loads and includes any accessories used in doing so (such as attachments to support, fix or anchor the equipment). In this talk, make sure you cover the requirements of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER).

Best for: Lifting operations

47. Lifting Operations

Lifting operations can put people at risk of severe injury. When lifting operations go wrong, the consequences can be massive. We had the equipment as the previous topic, but now you can talk about managing the lift itself. Under this topic, you should discuss resourcing, planning and organising a lift, and safe conditions for a lift.

48. Lifting Technique

Lifting technique comes under the wider subject of manual handling, but this talk topic is more focused on how to lift safely, and what a best practice lifting technique should look like. Bend at the knees, get a good grip etc. You could even throw in a demonstration with this talk!

Best for: Manual handling

49. Listen For Danger

Workplaces are filled with various sounds and noises. The loud noise from a vehicle or a reversing alarm could indicate an approaching danger from mobile plant or equipment. A change in the operating noise of a piece of machinery could signal it is breaking down or in an unsafe state.

50. Lone Working

Lone workers are people who work by themselves without close or direct supervision. A person is lone working if they have neither visual nor audible communication with someone else. This topic should cover procedures for assessing risks, communication and keeping safe when working alone.

Best for: Anyone working alone

You are halfway through! If you need help delivering daily toolbox talks, all these topics and more are included in our Talks Plan membership so that you can manage your toolbox talks online!

51. Manual Handling

Manual handling is carried out in nearly every workplace in one form or another and includes the movement loads by lifting, lowering, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving, by hand or by bodily force. This talk should include safety considerations surrounding the load, the individual, the task and the environment. You can use the free manual handling toolbox talk template for this topic.

52. Method Statement

A method statement is a written safe system of work. Method statements are commonly used in construction and for other high-risk activities. A toolbox talk about method statements should include what method statements are, why we write them, and how to follow them.

Best for: High-risk work

MEWP stands for Mobile Elevated Working Platforms. MEWPs are widely used and can provide an effective and safe means of gaining access to work at height. However, while they are a safe way of working at height, this is only true if you use them correctly. This topic can highlight the risks such as overturning and overloading.

Best for: Work at height

54. Near Misses

Near-misses might not seem like a big or complicated topic, but sometimes the best toolbox talks are the simplest. Since reporting near misses can prevent future accidents from happening, this talk really could save lives. Download the free near-miss reporting toolbox talk and give this talk today.

55. Noise At Work

Work environments can often be noisy. Exposure to excessive noise can, over time, lead to permanent hearing loss. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations are in place to protect workers, putting legal limits on noise exposure. This topic is best delivered somewhere quiet so that everyone can hear you!

Best for: Noisy work environments

56. Outdoor Working

What should you cover in this toolbox talk? Working outside in the UK exposes you to all the elements. Cold, heat, wind, rain, sun, snow. All the elements that people love about working outside are also the things that can make you suffer. You can get the free outdoor working toolbox talk template to help you with this one.

Best for: Anyone who works outside

57. Overhead Services

If you have overhead services crossing your sites, this is a crucial topic to include on your list. If a machine, scaffold tube, ladder, or even a jet of water touches or gets too close to an overhead wire, then electricity is conducted. You don't even need to touch overhead services for them to be dangerous since electricity can jump, or arc, across small gaps.

Best for: Construction and road workers

58. PAT Portable Appliance Testing

Most workplaces have some types of portable electrical equipment, from laptops to kettles to drills. Portable electrical equipment (portable appliances) usually means any electrical equipment intended to be connected to a generator or a fixed installation using a flexible cable and either a plug and socket or a spur box, or similar means.

Best for: Tradesmen and anyone using portable electrical equipment

59. PPE Use

This subject made it on the list of the best safety topics since PPE is the last line of defence against workplace hazards. Your talk should include why you need to wear PPE , when you need to wear it, and best practices surrounding PPE use. And if you need help preparing your talk, we have you covered with the free PPE use toolbox talk template .

Best for: Anyone who needs to wear PPE

60. Permits To Work

Permits to work are usually needed to control high-risk restricted activities. Permits help ensure that strict control measures and precautions are in place before, during and after the completion of the task or activity. And if you need one, you can download a free toolbox talk template on permits to work as well!

61. Personal Hygiene

Let's not get too personal here, but personal hygiene protects you and other workers from illness and cross-contamination. This topic should address how germs can quickly spread through poor personal hygiene, and the steps involved with good personal hygiene practices. The pandemic has brought this topic to the top of everyone's attention, and you can use the free coronavirus toolbox talk for a COVID specific conversation.

62. Public Protection

When you set up a new workplace, especially in public areas, it's important to consider protecting members of the public from any hazards and risks created by your work. What's an obvious hazard to you might not be to a person who has never worked in your industry before. Use the free public protection toolbox talk to get more detail on what this topic includes.

Best for: Working close to members of the public

63. RPE Use

Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE) is a type of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). We already included PPE on our list, but RPE should have its own talk to include details on requirements like face-fit, seals and how and when to use this equipment.

Best for: Anyone who needs to use RPE

64. Radiation

Radiation is a pretty specialist topic, but one that's probably applicable to more workplaces than you think. X-rays, microwaves, welding, UV lamps, lasers, even sunlight is a source of radiation.

Best for: Any workplaces containing sources of radiation

65. Refuelling

Refuelling involves handling highly flammable liquids, and there is always a risk of fire or explosion if a source of ignition is present. Use this topic to talk about your arrangements for the safe use, storage and handling of fuel.

Best for: Use of petrol or diesel driven equipment

66. Risk Assessment

A risk assessment is a health and safety process in which you identify hazards and control risks. It helps to protect yourself and others from danger. Use this talk to make your team aware of the need for risk assessments, where to find them, and which risk assessments apply to their tasks and activities.

67. Roof Work

All work on roofs is highly dangerous, even if a job only takes a few minutes. Almost one in five deaths in construction work involve roof work, so make sure you add this topic to your list if you or your workers need to access roofs at any time.

Best for: Anyone accessing roofs

68. Safety Awareness

You can use the free safety awareness toolbox talk to help you with this topic. There is a difference between being aware of health and safety, and having safety awareness. Safety awareness is a continuous alert attitude to the safety aspects of every job we do.

69. Safety Benefits

Could this be the best safety topic? It lays the foundation of all other health and safety topics and can be given on day one of your talks because, after this talk, your audience should know why safety is important and why you are giving toolbox talks in the first place.

70. Safety Nets

Safety nets provide passive fall protection without any active effort required on the part of the user. This topic covers what a safety net is (a net to protect people from injury after falling from heights by limiting the distance they fall and providing a soft landing), when and why, to use them.

71. Safety Signs

A safety signs toolbox talk will cover the different types of health and safety signs, including mandatory, prohibition, warning and safe condition signs. Download the free safety signs toolbox talk for this topic.

72. Scaffolding

Scaffolding provides safe access and working platforms for work at height. Scaffolds can be misused or become dangerous because component parts can be removed with tools such as hammers or spanners. This talk should include how to use scaffolds safely, and to help, we have provided the free scaffolding toolbox talk download.

Best for: Use of scaffolding

73. Screwdrivers

Screwdrivers might not be the most exciting or dangerous item in the toolbox, but you can include this topic to talk about using screwdrivers correctly and wearing appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) to minimise the risk of injury.

Sharps are needles, blades (such as scalpels) and other medical instruments that could cause an injury by cutting or pricking the skin. Workers and others in health and social care are at risk.

75. Sharps Injury

Sharps contaminated with infected blood can transmit more than 20 diseases, so injuries from sharps mean potential exposure to infections such as blood-borne viruses. Those at risk include people who directly handle sharps and also includes workers who may inadvertently be put at risk when sharps have not been stored or disposed of correctly.

Best for: Healthcare and site clearance

76. Shift Work

More than 3.5 million people are employed as shift workers in the UK. That's a lot of people who would benefit from this safety topic, as shift working patterns can lead to adverse effects upon health, particularly for night workers. You can talk about this subject to discuss the planning of shift rostering, rest days, and how to reduce the risks.

Best for: Shift workers

77. Silica Dust

Silica is a primary component in sand and rocks like sandstone and granite. For this topic, you should include how silica dust gets created when cutting or drilling materials, how this dust kills more than 500 construction workers every year, and the precautions needed.

Best for: Construction

78. Site Plant

Within some work environments, people and vehicles have to work together to get the job done. Plant and machinery will move large loads, excavate a trench or plough a field while people carry out other tasks such as installing services, picking and packing, or moving smaller loads. If people and plant are not kept separate, injuries can happen on contact.

Best for: Construction sites, factories, warehouses, waste, farming etc

79. Site Security

Site security should be a topic to cover as trespassers might want to access your site. With this talk, you can explain good site security and the steps needed to secure the perimeter and locking gates at the end of each shift.

80. Skip Loaders

Skip loaders are vehicles that move skips and containers. This topic should be covered as a toolbox talk because every year, activities involving the movement of skips and containers cause death and injury. Think about how waste will be safely collected and vehicles movements managed when planning this talk.

Best for: Construction and waste

81. Skip Safety

So you covered skip loaders (see above), but what about the skips themselves? This topic should include safety rules for disposing of waste in skips, such as keeping the area around the skip clear, not overloading skips, not entering skips etc.

82. Slips and Trips

Why cover this topic? Slips and trips might not sound like a big problem, but they are the most common cause of injury at work, accounting for around 40% of major injuries. That's massive! You don't need to write this talk yourself, though, because you can use the free slips and trips toolbox talk template .

83. Step Ladders

We already included ladders in this list, so why do you need to talk about step ladders as well? You might think step ladders are safer, but falling off a step ladder is no less serious than falling from an ordinary ladder. Equal care is needed. We cover the differences in the free step ladders toolbox talk download .

If preparing all these toolbox talks is getting you, well, stressed, we have already written a free stress toolbox talk template you can download. Stress is a big one - 500,000 people suffer from work-related stress, anxiety and depression, resulting in the loss of over 11 million working days per year.

85. Sun Exposure

Many people enjoy working outdoors more when the sun is shining. However, too much sunlight is harmful to your skin. Use this topic to warn workers about the dangers of sun exposure, including the risks of sunburn and skin cancer.

Best for: Outdoor workers

86. Tower Scaffolds

Tower scaffolds (also known as mobile access towers) are widely used for work at height. Especially internally. And they can provide an effective and safe means of gaining access to higher levels. So why talk about them? Because towers rely on all parts being in place to ensure adequate strength. They can collapse if sections are missing, and they can overturn if overloaded or incorrectly used. Find out more in the free tower scaffold toolbox talk template .

87. Transport Management

This topic is in our top 100 and would probably make the top 10. Every year there are around 50 fatalities and over 5000 incidents involving workplace transport. In this talk, you can discuss traffic routes, speed limits, restrictions, controls, and rules about workplace transport.

Best for: Workplaces with traffic routes

88. Trestles

Trestles allow access to work areas where more than one person is needed or access is necessary to a wide area. There are safer work platforms available, so use this talk to discuss when it is safe to use trestles and when a safer alternative might be better.

89. Tyre Safety

Why discuss tyres? Tyres play an important role in vehicle safety. They provide grip for movement, friction for braking and an element of suspension for safety and comfort. Have a conversation about tyre checks so that everyone knows what to look out for.

Best for: Vehicle use

90. Underground Services

If you or your team is going underground, you need to talk about underground services. Buried services are a major construction site hazard, particularly in excavation work. Damage to underground services can cause fatal or severe injury as well as significant disruption and environmental damage.

Best for: Excavation work

91. Vehicle Safety

Vehicles used in the workplace should be suitable for the purpose for which you use them. This can be a separate topic from the talk on transport management, as you can cover vehicle safety checks and considerations.

92. Vibration

Exposure to vibration can cause long-term painful damage to your hands, fingers and back. This topic should include the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations, exposure action values and ways to limit the vibration employees get exposed to at work. The free vibration toolbox talk template covers this topic.

Best for: Use of vibrating equipment

93. Waste Management

All waste produced can present a safety hazard to workers if not properly managed. Use the waste management topic to discuss how the build-up of waste materials can be a health hazard, block escape routes, and create slip and trip hazards.

94. Water Buoyancy Equipment

When there is a risk of falling into the water and drowning, it is essential to provide sufficient buoyancy to keep the person safely afloat. This is an important topic to cover for working on, over, or near water because lifejackets and buoyancy aids could save your life if you enter the water.

Best for: Work on or near water

95. Welfare Facilities

The law requires employers to ‘ so far as is reasonably practicable ’, provide adequate and appropriate welfare facilities. This includes adequate toilet and washing facilities for employees. Download the free welfare facilities toolbox talk template to start the conversation. Let your team know where welfare facilities are, their use, and cleaning arrangements.

96. Wood Dust

Another harmful dust makes it into our list of the best 100 safety topics for daily toolbox talks. This dust especially concerns joiners and carpenters. Wood dust can cause asthma, which carpenters and joiners are four times more likely to get when compared with other UK workers. Hardwood dust can also cause cancer, particularly of the nose.

97. Work Equipment

Work equipment is any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work. This includes equipment that employees provide. The scope of work equipment is therefore extremely wide. Every year, there are many accidents from using work equipment, including machinery. Many are serious, and some are fatal. Discuss best practices when it comes to using machinery and equipment with this talk.

Best for: Machine and equipment operators

98. Work Near Water

Any work near water presents a danger that people might slip or fall into the water, be swept off their feet by wave action, tide action, strong currents, or swell from passing water traffic. Make sure you communicate the risks by having this talk before working on, near or over water.

99. Young Person

A young person at work is anyone under eighteen years of age. Why is this topic in the best 100 safety topics? Because young people are generally at increased risk, they lack experience and sometimes maturity. Talking about risks can help raise any questions or concerns.

Best for: Anyone under 18

100. Zero Harm

Zero harm is a business commitment for working towards zero fatalities, accidents, injuries and ill health caused by work activities. Whether or not you consider zero harm as an achievable target, aspiring towards it creates a good safety culture.

Wow, you made it to the end! If you have delivered some or all of these topics, well done! If you need help giving your toolbox talks, all of these topics plus more are included in our Talks Plan membership.

This article was written by Emma at HASpod . Emma has over 10 years experience in health and safety and BSc (Hons) Construction Management. She is NEBOSH qualified and Tech IOSH.

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Safety – Interesting safety topics

Interesting safety topics

Interesting safety topics

Is it important to cover 'interesting' safety topics.

The purpose of discussing safety, conducting toolbox talks and doing formal safety training is to keep people safe - not to entertain them or keep things interesting.

But, when the goal of something is to change or improve human behaviour, it's important to make the inputs which influence this behaviour interesting.

This is true for all things which are good for people too. While exercise and eating well might be good for us, we need the exercise we do and the food we eat to be interesting - otherwise we inevitably lose interest and venture towards the things which aren't good for us.

Covering interesting safety topics shouldn't be your main goal, but it should form a part of your process for thinking about what to talk about. The more interested people are in a topic, the more engaged they are and the more they will learn, absorb, apply and even talk about.

What makes a safety topic, interesting?

What makes an interesting safety topic isn't as obvious or as easy as it sounds. Interesting safety topics aren't simply funny safety topics or interesting on any other objective measure.

Interesting safety topics can simply be interesting because they are relevant; they can be interesting because they are new; and they can be interesting because the person discussing the safety topic covers it in a way which is interesting. In fact, the approach to a safety topic is often the crux of whether it is perceived as interesting or not.

The 'best' way to make a safety topic interesting is to make it relevant to your audience.

Relevance might mean that it is a topic specific to this project or days work, or that the discussion is stemming from a near miss or incident which occurred yesterday. The best part of focusing on relevance as your source of interest is that it creates the best alignment between interest and outcomes.

If a safety topic is more relevant, then it is typically more valuable too. It means that people want to and need to learn more about this topic because it will have a material impact on how they approach an activity, process or work in general.

The next best way to make a 'boring' or 'common' safety topic interesting is to approach it in a new and novel way. Safety is not always the most exciting subject, but everything can be made interesting through a bit of fun and engagement.

Some strategies for turning mundane safety topics into interesting safety topics include:

  • Ask for opinions and insights -  One of the things which creates disinterest in safety topics is when people feel as though they are being lectured to. If you don't want to lecture workers like students, then ask for opinions and insights when discussing safety topics. Workers are on the front lines and have a lot of great insights about every safety topic, and people who specialise in today's safety topic can pass on a lot of really good advice to people who are less familiar with that topic.
  • Give away prizes -  If you really want to turn up the interest on your safety topics, give away prizes for the people who get the most answers write in a post-meeting quiz. If you don't want to turn every talk or session into a quiz or prize opportunity, have one award at the end of the week with questions pulled from any of the talks during the week. This way there is less prizes and time spend quizzing, and people have to be on their toes every day.
  • Play games -  It's important to find the right balance between an interesting safety topic and a fruitful conversation, but where applicable and tasteful, use games to create engagement for your safety topics. Similar to giving away prizes and quizzes, games are always fun and create good engagement.
  • Use tangible examples -  Theory is important to safety, but theory can be dry, and make a potentially interesting safety topic feel boring. To jazz up any safety topic, include some real-world examples and move around the physical world using physical objects to improve interest.
  • Get feedback -  Get honest feedback from people involved in safety activities about what they like and don't like. Ask them specific questions like "what would make these safety briefings more interesting?" to get good and honest feedback.

Hopefully these approaches help you to see how any safety topic can be made more interesting and more fun when approached in an interesting way.

Although it's typically the context and content of the safety topic which makes it interesting, we will cover some of the more typically interesting safety topics below in case you're not too keen in incorporating any of the above strategies.

Some of the more interesting safety topics

As we have somewhat proven above, no safety topic is inherently interesting, so you can't rely solely on a topic to create interest. It's also not a given that a simple safety topic is not an interesting one. Some of the most interesting safety topics are the ones which seem obvious - because they are the things people do and think about every day. They can relate to them best.

In saying all of this, here are some interesting safety topics to give you some ammunition:

  • Hand washing guidelines or personal hygiene - This type of safety topic is one which can be overlooked, but it is one of those ones which can be really interesting. Everyone washes their hands or performs personal hygiene (hopefully), so it's easy to make this topic interesting by getting input and insight from everyone.
  • Minimising repetitive stress injuries -  Some safety topics are interesting because they are big and brash, while others are interesting because they are more subtle. Talking through some of the repetitive stress injuries associated with works is important and interesting, especially to the young people who still feel invincible.
  • Common sense safety topics -  When you label something common sense, people often listen. Covering the common sense topics is one of the more counterintuitive ways to keep your safety topics interesting.
  • Stress -  Stress and wellness are becoming more interesting as more people engage and focus on them. Talking about stress at work is interesting because it makes people feel more human, and because stress is so internalised that people often fail to see and feel the stress of others.
  • Public protection -  Many safety topics are focused on specific activities and are inward facing. Discussing public protection and public safety is a great way to flip the story and help people see the bigger picture.
  • Radiation -  The silent assassins are often the most interesting. Discussing safety issues like radiation can really get people thinking.
  • Risk assessment -  Risk assessments are talked about a lot in many industries, but you can invigorate the conversation and make the topic more interesting by focusing on very relevant risk assessments. Walk through what a proper risk assessment looks like for an activity which will take place that day to get people thinking.
  • Hot and cold weather safety -  The weather is talked about a lot. Everywhere. Discussing how weather extremes influence safety is always interesting and gets people talking.

If you still need some more inspiration, here are some of the best toolbox talk topics you can also use as safety topics.

Although it can be tempting to overlook core safety topics like working at heights and manual handling for more novel activities and processes, it's critical you cover those talks, and cover them often.

How to ensure your topics stay fresh and interesting

One of the main reasons that people are always searching for interesting safety topics and hundreds of different toolbox talk ideas is because safety requires constant reinforcement in both formal and informal settings.

And the other reason that people are always searching for new ideas is because they can't remember what they have talked about, they can't remember which topics were covered in great detail, and they can't apply what was talked about and learned during previous talks.

One of the best ways to avoid these problems is to properly document your safety topics and safety activities using a safety meeting app.

When using a tool like this, you can easily document your talks or activities using a mobile phone or tablet, and all of your records will be easy to view and look back on at any time.

You can even get workers to sign off on their attendance, so you know which people have listened to what topics and more.

Having all of this information at your fingertips makes it much easier to make good and informed decisions about how to keep your safety topics interesting.

Construction meeting minutes

As we have re-iterated throughout this article, the most important aspect of any safety meeting, talk or activity is that there is an improved safety outcome.

This should always be the focus of every new safety initiative.

But as we know, making things more interesting and engaging for people often leads to better outcomes.

I hope you have got some good new ideas for interesting safety topics from this article, and can begin to apply them to your workplace.

Toolbox talk template

Safety Toolbox Talk template

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About Lance Hodgson

Lance is VP of Marketing at Sitemate. His aim is to bring awareness to a brighter future for the Built World where industrial workers and companies work smarter.

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10 Safety Topics for Work

February 5, 2024

Jeanellie Avelino

Safety Topics for Work

Raising awareness of the most relevant safety topics for work is the key step in fostering a safe and healthy workplace culture and environment. Whether your employees work on a construction site or spend long hours at an office, they must be constantly alert and aware of the inherent dangers in their surroundings. 

To help you out with your research, we’ve selected 10 safety topics for work that you can incorporate into your training program.

What are safety topics for work?

Safety topics for work refer to the various safety aspects that employees need to be aware of to protect themselves and their colleagues from harm in the workplace. Depending on the industry you’re in or the type of work being done by your team, it’s up to you which safety meeting topics you want to prioritize. 

Fire safety, electrical safety, ergonomics, personal protective equipment (PPE), managing hazardous materials, and preventing workplace violence are just some of the most common safety topics at work. To maintain a safe and healthy workplace, it is the responsibility of both you and your employees to see to it that these safety topics are understood and followed.

1. Slips, trips, and falls 

Slips, trips, and falls occur more than one might anticipate at work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, they account for nearly 700 incidents per year , resulting in workplace injuries like cuts, bruises, and fractures, and more fatal consequences such as impairment of the spinal cord and nervous system. The most common factors in these incidents are wet and slippery floor surfaces, poor lighting, unsuitable footwear, and unstable walkways.

Safety topics for work - Slips, trips, and falls 

While you may be imagining them in more hazardous job sites like construction and manufacturing facilities, slips, trips, and falls can also happen within the four walls of your office space—either tripping over a box or slipping on a newly mopped floor.

Raising this safety topic for manufacturing , construction, or sports activities safety meetings and giving learning resources like fall protection training courses will alert your employees on the most common slip, trip, and fall hazards, like where and how they can occur, and from there, follow the right precautionary steps to minimize and eliminate the risks. 

Recommended online resources on slips, trips, and falls:

  • Safety in the Workplace by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Ladder Safety Training Courses by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Slips, Trips & Falls by High Speed Training
  • Slips, Trips and Falls by Aveling

2. Proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to specialized clothing and equipment that protect industrial workers dealing with hazardous chemicals , heavy construction materials, loud equipment, and also health care providers working around patients exposed to potentially infectious diseases.

Safety topics for work - Proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

If your business falls under any high-risk industry requiring the use of such protective equipment, it is integral that you keep open communication with your team and discuss with them the specific type of PPE they need for their job, as well as its correct use, storage, and maintenance. You can do this through safety talks, safety briefings, or even short safety presentations.

Plus, you must also educate them on the core reasons why they need such protection for their job and the health and physical risks of not following the right way of wearing and using their PPE. This safety topic for work isn’t only relevant upon onboarding, but it should be discussed regularly among your existing employees. 

Recommended online resources about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Construction by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Personal Protective Equipment by eSafety
  • Introduction to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by Safetyhub

3. Workplace Ergonomics

Workers in physically demanding industries like manufacturing, retail, and services perform strenuous and repetitive tasks like lifting, assembling, pulling, and bending. Without proper ergonomics practices, these tasks may result in fatigue and discomfort, leading to frequent body aches and pains, and sometimes even musculoskeletal disorders or permanent disabilities. 

Sfety topics for work -  Workplace ergonomics

Establishing good ergonomics in your workplace—like using devices and equipment for lifting and transporting heavy materials, installing anti-slip and anti-fatigue mats, or changing tables and chairs’ positions to improve posture—goes a long way in lowering the chances of injuries and at the same time improving their daily productivity. These practices must be communicated clearly with your workforce to ensure effective reinforcement and implementation. 

Recommended online resources and safety topics for meetings about workplace ergonomics training :

  • Ergonomics for Manufacturing by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Ergonomics for Retail by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Ergonomics Training by Sentrient
  • Office Ergonomics by Choice Training & Consultancy

4. Drugs and Alcohol Misuse in the Workplace

Drugs and alcohol can impair your employees’ physical and mental state, causing a wide array of problems at work, like loss of production, absenteeism, and worse, fatalities and accidents.

Hosting a training program or seminar on this safety topic for work will help open their minds about the physical and health risks of these substances, as well as encourage them to become more responsible in building a safe, drug-free environment. Maintaining responsible behavior at work will result in higher productivity and work quality with fewer injuries—a win-win situation for both the company and the employees. 

Recommended online resources about drugs and alcohol misuse:

  • Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Drug and Alcohol Awareness by Emtrain 
  • Drug and Alcohol Prevention at Work by Everfi

5. Road and Driver Safety

While it’s nearly impossible to promise 100% safety on the road, you can always reduce the odds of accidents by increasing your team’s knowledge about the most common road hazards and the safest practices that they can adopt while driving.

Tackling this safety topic for work is even more crucial if you are managing transport and shipping truck drivers , who are mandated to expedite products and services in the quickest but safest way possible to satisfy customer demands . It is crucial to educate your drivers about the trucks they are driving and the pickup parts they are using for the safest service possible. 

For your road safety training, you can talk about the techniques and strategies of defensive driving to urge your workers to drive more safely around other vehicles. You can also roll out quizzes and assessments that will refresh their mind with the basic traffic rules and regulations, ensuring a safe journey while on the road. You can also highlight the grave consequences of reckless and drunk driving so they can commit to smarter and safer driving.

Recommended online resources about road and driver safety:

  • Driver Safety by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Autosobriety to Prevent Drink-Driving by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Traffic Rules & Regulations by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Defensive Driving for Heavy Vehicles by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Extreme Weather Driving Training by REED

6. Electrical Safety

While it’s needless to say that addressing electrical safety hazards is crucial for electricians, construction workers, mechanics, and many others in similar fields, this safety topic for work will also benefit those concerned with office workplace safety. Even more so these days, wherein most work activities are heavily relying on gadgets, tools, and equipment, which operate on electricity. 

All are aware of how damaging electrical incidents can be—live wire contacts can cause electric shocks leading to cardiac arrest; electric short circuits and overheated wires can trigger a fire easily; and an arc flash can result in burns, blindness, and hearing loss. Still, they can be prevented if your employees are well-versed on basic safety measures, especially when working around electrical equipment, and the right steps to follow when responding to any related emergencies. 

Recommended online resources about basic electrical training :

  • Electrical Safety by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Controlling Hazardous Energy: Electricity by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Basic Electricity by 360training
  • Basic Electronics and Electricity Course by TPC Training

7. Fire Safety and Evacuation Plans

Unfortunately, no industry is exempt from fire hazards. From loose wires and overloaded plugs in office rooms to improper storage of combustible materials in manufacturing facilities, a fire breakout can occur anytime and anywhere. Without a proper fire and emergency plan in place, this event can cause catastrophic consequences such as property damage, burns and injuries, and worse, even death. Moreover, if your building has a door access control system in place, employees need to be trained on how to use this system during an evacuation or when there is a fire danger. 

Having an organization capable of identifying and mitigating fire hazards is your key step towards fire prevention. Every now and then, it will be helpful to refresh their minds on the basics of fire safety , the precautions they need to take, and the right use of alarm systems and fire extinguishers. It’s also a good idea to create an emergency action plan beforehand and make sure that your team is fully prepared for its execution. This way, you can rest assured that they know exactly how they should respond and how to observe an orderly evacuation in case of a fire breakout. 

Safety topics for work - Fire safety and evacuation plans

All fire department members are committed to protecting their fellow citizens in times of need. Not only can they fight fires, but they can also work to prevent other disasters from causing unnecessary loss of life and property. It is also the responsibility of firefighters to assist in the event of other disasters. In collaboration with other emergency response agencies, firefighters protect personal safety, save lives, save property, and protect the environment, accomplishments that are often recognized with personalized coins.

The fire department challenge coins are small but very solid. What better souvenir for a firefighter than a Firefighter Challenge Coin? A Firefighter's Challenge coin stays with them throughout their tenure as a testament to their contributions to the community. The meaning it represents is priceless!

Recommended online resources and oil field safety topics about fire safety and evacuation plans:

  • Fire Safety by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Fire Protection by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Evacuation Plan by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Fire Prevention Plans by OSHAcademy
  • Fire Emergency Evacuation Procedures by Safety Services Direct

8. The Basics of First Aid 

In its most basic form, first aid is initial emergency care given to an ill or injured person, just until a professional medical service arrives in place. It can help save lives, hinder temporary and long-term disabilities, and prevent any emergency from becoming worse. With this in mind, it makes a good business strategy to train your employees on the basics of first aid and EMS training as it will help you secure a healthier, safer workplace environment for your workers. 

Some of the most useful first aid procedures that you can include in your safety training are treating bleeding and fire burns, carrying out CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), nursing a person who has fainted, and responding to sprains and bone fractures. It is also worth discussing how they can perform assessments and file incident reports whenever needed. 

Recommended online resources about first aid training :

  • The Basics of First Aid by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Workplace First Aid Online Training by High Speed Training 
  • CPR, AED, and First Aid by Alison
  • First Aid at Work by Echo3

9. Fatigue & Stress Management 

Another safety topic for work that is worth discussing with your team is coping with fatigue and stress management. Living and working in a fast-paced world with incredibly high customer and client demands, fatigue and stress have been a common and unfortunately normalized problem in the modern industry. They are, in general, the result of skipping lunch breaks and missing days and weeks of sleep due to long duty periods, heavy workloads, and cranky deadlines. If not immediately addressed, they can impair cognitive and body functioning, sometimes even permanent impairment, and long-term mental problems, like anxiety and depression.

But fret not, achieving a healthy, low-stress work environment is feasible. Regularly reminding your employees of the common causes of work stress and fatigue and their implications for their mental and physical state is a strategic place to start. You may also want to consider sharing with them some learning materials and resources to help them develop positive coping strategies and some relaxation techniques to reduce strain and stress. 

Recommended online resources about fatigue and stress management:

  • Fatigue Risk Management by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Managing Leadership Stress by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Stress Management – Techniques for Coping with Stress by Alison
  • Stress and Fatigue in the Workplace by Besafe Training

10. COVID-19 Awareness and Preparedness

Last but not least in this list is increasing your organization’s awareness about COVID-19 and improving their preparedness and response action. According to experts, among the best ways to reduce the chances of coronavirus infection is to provide your team with reliable and accurate information about the virus, like how it spreads and what symptoms to look out for.

Co

If your workforce is finally returning to work, it is also recommended to discuss with them the guidelines and safety measures set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s also crucial that they’re given clear instructions on what to do if someone on the team gets sick with the new coronavirus.

Recommended online resources for COVID-19 training :

  • Let’s Kick COVID-19! by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Combating the Disinfodemic: Working for truth in the time of COVID-19 by SafetyCulture's Training
  • COVID-19 Preparedness and Response: Good Practices and Precautions when Using Breathalyzers by SafetyCulture's Training
  • Covid Training Course (COVID-19) Coronavirus Essentials by Grey Matter Learning
  • Understanding the COVID-19 Pandemic by Johns Hopkins University Experts 

Safety Topic of the Day

To increase accuracy and efficiency in tasks like lifting and carrying bulky goods, heavy machinery is utilized in sectors like construction, manufacturing, and shipping. Heavy equipment includes large machines and vehicles including cranes, forklifts, bulldozers, and many others.

Because of how dangerous these equipment and vehicles are, operating them or being near them places a great deal of responsibility on the shoulders of personnel. It can result in accidents or even fatalities if you don’t know how to use them safely.

Go beyond simple safety topic talks

Although, it's everyone's responsibility to emphasize the importance of safety at the workplace, funny safety topics are a great way to break the ice during toolbox talks. Consider compiling and sharing funny safety moment topics without ever taking workplace safety lightly. Just a great way to keep your employees engaged with training.

Promote workplace safety with Training by SafetyCulture

Free online learning platforms like SafetyCulture’s Training offer an easy way to put together 5-minute safety topics for work and share the content with your team. Thanks to their responsive authoring tool and microlearning templates, all you need to do is copy and paste your workplace safety content or import your existing training materials, hit publish, and you’re all good to go.

Tips to improve training sessions - EdApp authoring tool

With Training, you’ll also discover a comprehensive e-learning course library of beautiful, world-class learning resources, created in collaboration with some of the most reputable brands and thought leaders in the world. There are courses about safety ladder safety, electrical safety, PPE use, and even other safety topics like food safety hazards, food contamination training courses, and more. 

They are structured into topical, bite-sized chunks, enhanced with powerful features like spaced repetition, Rapid Refresh, and gamification to improve the learning experience of your employees. This platform has also made most of their courses editable so that you can easily edit, rebrand, and personalize them with ease.

To reiterate, there are several opportunities to communicate hazards in the workplace and safety practices to your team: 

  • Set up a meeting or a conference 
  • Host a webinar or online training if you’re handling a remote team from different parts of the world
  • Roll out e-learning or mobile training courses 
  • Organize blended training (a combination of traditional face-to-face and online training)

However, keep in mind that the success of your safety awareness training or program doesn’t solely depend on your training delivery method. You also need content that will not only engage your employees but also offer them exciting learning opportunities. This way, they can deter complacency and avoid common safety-related workplace incidents and injuries from occurring. 

A great way is to use engaging learning content and topics. You can even mix it up with funny safety talks and funny safety presentations. Although safety isn't a joke, integrating some funny safety topics for work can help normalize safety culture at your workplace.

Start using the best safety training platform today! Sign up for free.

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Jen is a learning expert at EdApp, a mobile-based training platform that helps corporates and businesses bring their training solutions to the next level. She carries an extensive writing experience in a variety of fields, including architecture, the gig economy, and computer software. Outside of work, she enjoys her free time watching her favorite series and documentaries, reading motivational books, and cross-stitching.

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10 min read

Safety Moment Ideas

Caroline Duncan : Nov 23, 2023 9:13:00 PM

safety moments for work_mockup-min

Creating a safe workplace for your employees is essential. Not only are there legal and moral obligations to do so, but when you have a safe workplace, you are less likely to have absenteeism and more likely to have higher productivity.

Table of contents

What is a safety moment?

Why you should consider safety moments in the workplace

How to make safety moments a success in your organization

30 safety moment examples to use in your workplace in 2024

Keeping staff informed about potential health and safety risks is critical to building a safety culture within your organization. Introducing new concepts to this space can help to bring new enthusiasm and awareness to health and safety.

Many organizations have successfully introduced “safety moments” to their health and safety awareness work.

WHAT ARE SAFETY MOMENTS FOR WORK?

Workplace safety moments are brief exercises or discussions focussed on specific safety-oriented topics held at a dedicated time. This work safety idea is designed to focus attention on particular risks as well as general safety.

Despite the name, they actually take up a few moments of time – usually three to five – and should be short and sharp in their duration. The goal is to get employees to think about and identify any potential workplace hazards and to understand what steps they should take to avoid them. Safety moments for work should have clear and concise information and provide easy-to-understand and actionable steps for employees to follow.

A safety moment is usually a standing item on a meeting agenda. They may be delivered at a weekly team meeting or at the start of the day each day, depending on your industry. They are not designed to take the place of formal safety training but can be used to reinforce such learning.

Organizations that have safety moments for staff are usually involved in industries where there is a high risk of workplace injury or death. Dangerous industries such as construction and manufacturing , for example, have workplaces where employees are exposed to numerous hazards and risks. However, workplace safety moments can be introduced to just about any industry.

WHY YOU NEED A SAFETY MOMENT OF THE DAY

Safety moments are designed to put safety at the front of employees’ minds so that they conduct themselves in a safe way, understanding their responsibilities to have a safe workplace and to reduce and avoid risks and hazards to keep themselves and their colleagues safe.

The benefits of having a safety moment of the day include:

  • Being able to reinforce your workplace health and safety policies
  • Being able to communicate the consequences of not following safety protocols
  • Being able to offer quick and simple “refresher” training that builds on and reinforces more formal safety training
  • It can present safety information in an engaging and easy-to-digest way for people with lower attention spans
  • Can prevent people from being overwhelmed with too much information all at once
  • Building a strong safety culture within your organization.

Read more: Emergency alert system for business

ENSURING THE SUCCESS OF SAFETY MOMENTS FOR MEETINGS

If you plan to introduce safety moments to your organization, there’s a few key steps you can take to ensure that they are useful, engaging and ultimately successful:

  • Schedule safety moments at a frequency that suits your company’s needs.
  • Use safety moments for meetings as part of other safety awareness campaigns to reinforce messages (or vice versa). For example, you can create screensavers or send pop-up quizzes .
  • Use visuals to help keep boost engagement.
  • Provide relatable workplace safety scenarios so that people can understand and engage with the content.
  • Incorporate personalization if you can to help people empathize with the messaging.
  • Always ensure there’s an actionable takeaway in each safety moment for work that employees can use in their day-to-day work lives.
  • Include remote workers in your safety tips by sending pop-up video messages .

30 SAFETY MOMENT IDEAS FOR MEETINGS IN 2024

Here are some safety moment ideas that you can deliver in your workplace in 2024:

1. Lifting heavy objects

Many workplace injuries happen when people lift heavy objects incorrectly. People need to understand they must always be careful when lifting heavy objects in the workplace, taking care to use correct posture to avoid back and joint injuries:

  • Always bend your knees and keep your back straight
  • Hold objects you are lifting close to your body

2. Situational awareness

Situational awareness is an extremely important skill for employees to have in the workplace. This safety moment topic can involve talking about the importance of staying focused on the work that is being done while simultaneously being aware of what is happening in your surroundings. Give tips for minimizing distractions or include safety checklists.

3. Slips, trips and falls

Slips, trips and falls are extremely common causes of workplace injuries. The most common causes are:

  • Wet and slippery floor/ground surfaces
  • Poor lighting
  • Unsuitable footwear
  • Unstable walkways
  • Tripping hazards being left in thoroughfares.

Provide your employees with the most common slip, trip and fall hazards that are unique to your workplace and the steps that they can take to minimize and prevent these risks.

4. Ergonomics

There are many ergonomic risk factors in the modern workplace that can lead to both long-lasting and acute injuries. It’s important that employees understand these risks so that they can avoid them.

A safety moment for office workers should include the following:

  • What sorts of repetitive tasks can cause issues
  • How to avoid overexertion
  • Why they should avoid sustained awkward postures
  • How to adjust their office furniture to reduce risk
  • Who in the organization can help provide an ergonomic assessment
  • The importance of regular breaks
  • What stretches/exercises they can do to combat sitting for too long.

5. Workplace stress

There is a whole range of work-related stress that can cause workplace health issues, including burnout, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. This can include:

  • Unsustainable workloads
  • Toxic work culture
  • Infrequent breaks

With these work safety moments, you should advise employees on how to ask for help, what employee assistance programs are available, and any relaxation and rest techniques that you can deploy to reduce stress.

Measure the level of employee stress by conducting a work stress survey .

6. Wearing appropriate clothing

It is important that all employees wear clothing that is suitable and appropriate for the tasks they are undertaking. This includes:

  • Avoiding loose clothing that has the potential to be caught in machinery
  • Always wearing the appropriate safety gear for the task (eg: goggles, gloves, helmets, boots, hi-vis vests).
  • For outside workers, dress for the conditions (eg: wet weather gear, sunscreen, warm clothing when cold).

7. Awareness of emergency exits and routes

It’s important to take time to remind people about where emergency exits are located and to familiarize themselves with any escape routes in advance of an actual emergency occurring. This way, they can be prepared to evacuate should a critical situation unfold.

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8. Workplace drug and alcohol misuse

Employees who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol in the workplace pose a risk to their own health and safety and that of others. When their mental state is impaired, they can cause accidents and fatalities. A safety moment on this topic can:

  • Help employees understand the health and physical risks of being affected by drugs and alcohol at work
  • The role they have to play in creating a safe work environment that is drug and alcohol-free.

9. Workplace violence

Violence has no place in any workplace, but sadly it can be an occupational hazard for many people. This can be employees being violent with each other or employees being attacked by clients, customers, visitors, and other stakeholders.

This safety minute topic should address what employees can do to keep themselves safe if a work situation becomes violent.

10. Why proper rest is important

Employees who are not well rested at home can be severely fatigued at work. A lack of alertness can lead to a range of health and safety issues that can affect both them and others. Work safety moments on rest should encourage people to ensure they’re getting enough rest for workplace health and safety reasons and schedule regular breaks so they can recharge on the job.

11. Driver safety

Employees who are using company vehicles need to understand the importance of road and driver safety. This includes:

  • The most common road hazards
  • Driving in severe weather
  • Safe and defensive driving practices
  • Vehicle safety
  • Parameters around driver fatigue
  • Zero tolerance for alcohol and drug impairment while operating a company vehicle.

12. Reporting workplace accidents

It’s crucial that employees understand their obligations in reporting any workplace accidents or near misses so that management are aware. This helps to improve safety and is essential for legal and insurance purposes. A safety moment on this topic would give examples of accidents and near misses that should be reported and familiarize staff with the reporting procedures.

13. WORKING WITH HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Working with hazardous materials can be extremely dangerous and potentially lethal. Employees must understand proper handling, storage, and disposal procedures. A safety moment topic would emphasize:

  • the importance of using personal protective equipment, such as gloves and goggles
  • the importance of being familiar with material safety data sheets.

14. FIRE PREVENTION

Addressing potential fire hazards and instilling preventive measures ensures both employee well-being and safety and helps to protect the company’s valuable assets. Emphasizing proper equipment usage, emergency protocols, and regular drills fosters a prepared and proactive workforce, reducing the risk of fires.

15. ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS

Discussing electrical safety tips in a safety moment educates employees on ways of preventing shocks and fires and reducing any other electrical hazards. Safety moment ideas include:

  • regular equipment inspections
  • proper use of extension cords
  • reporting malfunctions promptly.

16. HEAT STRESS PREVENTION

Heat stress occurs when the body struggles to regulate its temperature, often due to excessive heat. This can be a result of high temperatures in summer time or working in situations, such as fire suppression, where there is a lot of radiant heat.

Addressing heat stress in a safety moment is vital for preventing heat-related illnesses. Suggestions include staying hydrated, taking breaks in shaded areas, and wearing appropriate clothing to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

17. PARKING LOT SAFETY

Employees must be aware of parking lot safety to prevent accidents, collisions, and ensure a secure environment for everyone. Safety moments examples include:

  • adhering to speed limits
  • using designated walkways
  • maintaining clear visibility
  • pedestrian awareness
  • security measures.

18. FIRST AID BASICS AND RESPONSE

It’s important for employees to have knowledge of first aid basics to provide immediate assistance in emergencies. First aid is crucial from everything from saving a life through to providing assistance with burns, cuts and broken bones.

Topics could include CPR training, recognizing and responding to common injuries, and creating a first aid kit.

19. SAFE USE OF HEAVY MACHINERY

When employees fail to use heavy machinery properly, it poses severe risks. Accidents, injuries, and equipment damage become likely. Improper operation can compromise workplace safety, lead to financial losses, and result in legal consequences.

Discussing this in a workplace safety moment raises awareness of potential hazards and emphasizes the importance of proper training, maintenance checks, and adherence to safety protocols

20. CHEMICAL SPILL RESPONSE

An appropriate chemical spill response involves immediate containment, evacuation, and notifying designated personnel so that you can keep people and assets safe.

Safety moments can be used to communicate spill response procedures to employees. Stress the importance of reporting spills promptly to minimize exposure risks and ensure a swift, effective response to protect both individuals and the environment.

21. AVOIDING DISTRACTED WORK

Distracted work, caused by factors like smartphone use or multitasking, compromises safety and productivity. Safety moment ideas include stressing the dangers of distractions and encouraging employees to stay focused on tasks. Promote designated break times for non-urgent tasks and emphasize the importance of mindfulness to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.

22. AVOIDING EYE STRAIN

Eye strain can occur in the workplace as a result of prolonged screen use or poor lighting, leading to discomfort and fatigue.

Safety moment ideas include:

  • Recognizing symptoms like headaches and dry eyes
  • Encouraging regular breaks
  • Using proper lighting,
  • How to use the 20-20-20 rule (looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes) to reduce eye strain

23. RESPIRATORY PROTECTION GUIDELINES

Respiratory protection is vital to prevent inhalation of harmful substances. In a workplace safety moment, stress the importance of understanding and identifying substances that pose respiratory risk, wearing proper masks and correctly fitting respirators for specific tasks. Educate employees on proper fit, maintenance, and disposal.

24. PREVENTING HEARING DAMAGE

Hearing damage risks in the workplace stem from prolonged exposure to loud noise. In a safety moment, inform employees about the potential hazards, emphasizing the use of ear protection. Encourage regular hearing checks, raise awareness about noise levels, and implement engineering controls to mitigate risks,

25. WORKPLACE WELLNESS INITIATIVES

Many organizations have a wide range of workplace wellness initiatives in place, but don’t always do a good job of promoting them to staff. Leverage workplace wellness initiatives in a safety moment by emphasizing their impact on overall health and safety.

Discuss the benefits of physical activity, stress reduction, and mental health support. Encourage participation in wellness programs, fostering a culture of well-being that positively influences workplace safety, productivity, and employee satisfaction.

26. IMPORTANCE OF STRETCHING EXERCISES

Encourage employees to incorporate regular stretching into their routines, emphasizing its role in improving flexibility, reducing muscle tension, and preventing strains. Promote awareness that simple stretches contribute to overall well-being and enhance workplace safety.

27. IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR EQUIPMENT INSPECTIONS

Regular equipment inspections are vital for workplace safety. Emphasize their importance in a safety moment to prevent malfunctions, accidents, and injuries. Discuss the role of inspections in identifying potential hazards, ensuring equipment reliability, and maintaining a secure work environment. Promoting a routine inspection culture fosters proactive risk management and overall safety awareness.

28. CORRECT USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provides a protective barrier against hazards, reducing the risk of injuries and illnesses.

  • How to wear PPE properly
  • Compliance with regulations
  • Personal responsibility
  • Maintaining health
  • Preventing exposure to harmful substances

29. FALL PROTECTION MEASURES

Falls in the workplace involve incidents where individuals descend unexpectedly from one level to another. They can occur on stairs, ladders, platforms, or slippery surfaces, posing a significant risk of injuries.

Emphasize its importance in a safety moment to create awareness about proper ladder use, clear walkways, and the significance of fall protection equipment.

30. COLD WEATHER SAFETY

Cold weather safety in the workplace is crucial to prevent hypothermia, frostbite, and accidents. Promote a culture of vigilance and preparedness for working in chilly conditions.

In a safety moment, stress the significance of wearing appropriate clothing, taking breaks to warm up, and recognizing early signs of cold-related illnesses.

Workplace safety moments are a great contribution to your communications activities to build a culture of safety in the workplace. In conjunction with other communications tools, channels and strategies you can make safety front-of-mind in your organization.

To find out how DeskAlerts can help you to deliver vital safety information to staff in an engaging way that cuts through digital noise in the workplace, get in touch with our team of experts for a free demo today.

WHAT IS A GOOD SAFETY MOMENT FOR A MEETING?

A good safety moment for a work meeting is one that is topical and relevant to the people you are talking to. For example, office safety moments may include work station ergonomics, while in a chemical plant you may want to talk about working with hazardous materials.

WHAT'S A GOOD SAFETY TOPIC FOR WORK?

Good safety topics for work meetings are anything that will help to keep employees safe while on the job and should be relevant to the work that is done and the industry it is done in.

WHAT ARE THE 10 SAFETY TIPS TO BE PRACTICED IN THE WORKPLACE?

The top 10 safety tips for the workplace are:

  • Reducing stress
  • Always operate tools, equipment and machinery correctly
  • Always use the appropriate personal protective equipment
  • Stay sober and free from drugs in the workplace
  • Understand what to do in an emergency
  • Report all accidents and near misses
  • Always be aware of your surroundings
  • Take regular breaks
  • Drive safely
  • Follow processes and procedures.

WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF SAFETY AT THE WORKPLACE?

An example of safety in the workplace is identifying hazards and taking steps to remove them.

What are some good safety moments?

Safety moment examples to use in your workplace include:

  • Lifting heavy objects
  • Situational awareness
  • Slips, trips and falls
  • Workplace stress
  • Wearing appropriate clothing
  • Awareness of emergency exits and routes
  • Workplace drug and alcohol misuse,

What is a good safety talk?

A good workplace safety talk addresses specific hazards, emphasizes preventative measures, encourages active participation and reinforces the importance of a safety-conscious mindset among employees. It should be engaging, relevant, and promote a culture of responsibility and awareness.

What is an example of a quick safety moment?

A quick safety moment for today could involve reminding employees to wear personal protective equipment, discussing the proper techniques for lifting heavy items, or highlighting the location of emergency exits. It's a brief, focused reminder to enhance safety awareness in the workplace.

What are good topics for safety meetings?

Good safety moment topics for meetings include emergency preparedness, hazard communication, workplace ergonomics, electrical safety, fire prevention and proper use of personal protective equipment. Addressing these topics help to promote a culture of safety within an organization and also aids in reducing workplace risks.

What is a safety moment for a work meeting?

A safety moment for a work meeting is a brief discussion or presentation focused on a specific safety topic. It aims to raise awareness, reinforce safe practices, and encourage employees to keep safety front-of-mind and make it a priority.

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best safety presentation topics

10 Workplace Safety Topics for Meetings to Bookmark

  • Adam Singfield
  • Last Updated July 9, 2019
  • Category Industrial Engineering

best safety presentation topics

Workplace safety moments, or toolbox talks, can cover a variety of topics. These are regular opportunities for coworkers to discuss safety issues at work, whether it’s dealing with workplace hazards or engaging in healthy work practices.

office worker construction hat

  • Informs people about workplace risks and safety training
  • Gives the chance to evaluate prior safety-related incidents
  • Keeps people alert and aware of potential hazards

Safety meeting topics can vary, from tips to avoid carpal tunnel to explaining company protocols around COVID-19. The important thing is that everyone in your organization is regularly thinking about safety. That is our goal as an engineering services firm and system integrator .

So, what are some good safety topics to incorporate in your meetings or talks around the toolbox? Here are 10 workplace health and safety topics to ensure your workforce is always focused on avoiding injuries or illnesses.

10 Everyday Workplace Safety Topics for Meetings

1. general safety mistakes.

Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is one of the simplest ways to ensure the safety of your employees. It’s crucial to advise and train employees in using protective equipment, such as prescription lenses, protective hearing devices, foot and arm protection, and other protective equipment.

For example, it’s wise to ask employees to wear hard hats if there’s a danger of falling objects in the workplace. Inform them about using face shields and gloves to prevent scratches, cuts, or possible infections.

2. Ergonomic and Workplace Stress

ergonomic measurements

Work-related stress, fatigue, depression, and anxiety also account for a large percentage of workplace health issues. Uneven workload patterns, toxic cultures, infrequent breaks, and many other factors can contribute to stress and discomfort. To reduce work-related stress, try to:

  • Ask for help
  • Communicate problems clearly
  • Meditate and try other relaxation techniques

Creating a work culture that encourages conversations about stress and work-life balance promotes a healthy work environment .

3. Drugs on The Job

sleeping at work

4. Violence at The Workplace

Workplace or occupational violence can result from employees, customers, visitors, or clients engaging in any kind of disruptive behaviour.

businessman making fun

5. Fire and Electrical Safety

electrical shock

  • The whereabouts of fire extinguishers
  • How to use fire extinguishers
  • Quick evacuation routes if/when necessary

Accidents caused by electricity can often be fatal. Knowing how to be careful with electrical equipment and devices at work is of the utmost importance. It’s vital for any safety meeting to discuss the consequences of not wearing proper protective gear while working with electrical wires or being careless around them.

6. Workplace Accidents: Reporting, Prevention, And Costs

office worker reporting

Talking about accidents is essential to every pre-work safety meeting. Employees should know how and why accidents happen at the workplace and what they can do to avoid them.

In case an accident does occur, workers should have adequate reporting procedures in place. A safety meeting is the best place to familiarize workers with workplace accident reporting procedures.

7. Heat Exhaustion and Safety

Heat exhaustion results from the body’s inability to cool down and regulate its internal temperature. It is usually caused by continuous exposure to excessive heat that dehydrates the body.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

  • Dizziness and fainting spells
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Muscle cramps

Symptoms of heatstroke:

  • Behavioural changes (irritability, confusion, disorientation)
  • Muscle and abdominal cramps

If left unattended, heat exhaustion can worsen and turn into heatstroke. Heat strokes have the potential to be life-threatening . It’s crucial to inform your employees about the signs, symptoms, and prevention of heatstroke.

heat stroke infographic

8. Workplace Injuries

slipping down stairs

  • Trips and falls
  • Being hit by unguarded machinery or falling objects
  • Violent acts in the workplace
  • Stress, fatigue, and overexertion
  • Vehicle-related mishaps
  • Repetitive motion injuries
  • Exposure to hazardous materials

Talking about how such injuries happen and what workers can do to avoid them should be a key element of a safety meeting. Organizations should inform workers on procedures and training that help protect them from accidents in the workplace.

9. Silica Dust and Protection

Prolonged exposure to particles of crystalline silica can lead to serious and fatal illnesses. Examples include chronic silicosis, interstitial lung disease, and even cancer. People who work in mining , steel, glass, and construction industries are more prone to silica-induced diseases.

It’s essential for these industries to hold safety meetings to discuss how workers can protect themselves from silica dust.

Some common materials that contain silica are:

  • Cement and mortar
  • Abrasives used for blasting
  • Tiles and masonry
  • Sand and granite

Some protective measures include:

  • Dust control and suppression
  • Exposure monitoring training
  • Wearing PPE
  • Banning smoking in areas where silica dust is present

10. Communication Issues and Safety

Lack of communication between employees can be a major reason for workplace accidents. Pre-work safety meetings, or toolbox talks, are a good platform to clarify the roles and responsibilities defined within a company’s safety program.

Occupational Health and Safety

Occupational safety and health are shared responsibilities. Both employers and employees have roles to play in maintaining a safe working environment. Meeting topics are a great way to communicate these responsibilities.

  • Business owners are responsible for providing safe working conditions. This is typically achieved through the implementation of safety procedures. Employers must also have workers compensation insurance.
  • Employees should know how work will be done for the day, who’s responsible for what, and the general safety protocols. In case verbal communication fails, people should have other effective means to communicate.

How to Effectively Communicate Workplace Safety Practices

workplace safety topics for meetings

To run an effective workplace safety moment, try to:

  • Engage your audience – A safety briefing, or moment at the start of a meeting, must be a two-way conversation between you and your workforce. Don’t talk at them; talk with them. Understand their concerns and give them a chance to ask questions.
  • Not read manuals to them – Reading from a safety manual repels interest. It reflects your lack of preparation for a healthy and engaging discussion.
  • Chalk out a time and place – It’s best to plan. Demonstrating what you are trying to teach works better, too.
  • Discuss relevant safety issues – Don’t talk about topics that don’t apply to your work.

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As an industrial engineering consulting firm, safety is important to us at Vista Projects . Not only do we take every measure to keep our staff safe, we consider safety practices in our engineering designs. We believe safety in design is critical to the long-term viability of any facility. Sound safety practices also fit with our core values.

We believe all clients deserve:

  • Transparency about projects and assets
  • A collaborative problem-solving approach
  • High-quality engineering designs

Simply put: the best interests of your project and asset are the focus of our multi-discipline engineering services . Contact us today to learn more .

Vista Projects is an integrated engineering The process of integrated engineering involves multiple engineering disciplines working in conjunction with other project disciplines to e… services firm able to assist with your pipeline projects. With offices in Calgary, Alberta, Houston, Texas and Muscat, Oman, we help clients with customized system integration and engineering consulting across all core disciplines.

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SafetyRisk.net

Humanising Health, Safety and Risk

  • Free Safety Moments and Toolbox Talk Examples, Tips and Resources

Free Safety Moments, Hard Hat Chats, Pre-Start talks, Toolbox Talks and Lessons Learned Tips and Resources

Just toolbox it.

Talking about maintenance

What is a Safety Moment?

safety moments

Why not try reading some of these Safety Poems and ask people to share what they mean to them? SAFETY POEMS FOR THE WORKPLACE

Safety Moments – POPULAR>>>>>> Download Safety Moments from Human Resources Secretariat

See more here>>>>>>> 129 BRILLIANT IDEAS FOR SAFETY TOOL BOX TALKS, HARD HAT CHATS And SAFETY MOMENTS

Free Risk Assessment Forms >>>>> FREE RISK ASSESSMENT FORMS, TEMPLATES and APPS

Toolbox Talk Fact Sheet toolbox_talks_fact_sheet_0

Safety Moment Series From Halliburton:

The Mythical Safety Moment

If there was ever a dumb invention to desensitize Safety to safety it was the ‘ safety moment’ . Whoever thought this was a good idea knew very little about human neuropsychology.

This strange mythology supposes that starting every meeting with a ‘safety minute’ or whatever it is called demonstrates ‘safety first’ mentality. It doesn’t.

What safety moments demonstrate is absolutely no cognizance of how humans or safety works . Such is the inability of safety to understand the basics of trade-offs and by-products ( https://safetyrisk.net/target-trade-offs-and-numeric-goals/ ).

7 tips for Toolbox Talks and Safety Moments

A safety toolbox talk is a short safety meeting that is held before work begins to discuss a specific safety topic. It is designed to raise awareness about potential hazards and to promote safe work practices. Here are some tips for conducting effective safety toolbox talks:

  • Choose a relevant topic: Select a topic that is relevant to the work being done and that will help prevent accidents or injuries.
  • Keep it short: Toolbox talks should be brief, generally lasting no more than 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Engage your audience: Encourage your workers to participate in the discussion and to ask questions.
  • Use visual aids: Visual aids such as videos, pictures, or diagrams can help illustrate your point and reinforce the importance of the topic.
  • Make it interactive: Encourage workers to share their experiences and ideas about the topic. This can help make the talk more engaging and relevant to the group.
  • Review key points: Summarize the key points of the talk and ask workers to repeat them back to you to ensure they understand.
  • Follow up: Follow up on the topic in future toolbox talks or meetings to reinforce the message and ensure compliance with safe work practices.

Remember, toolbox talks are an important part of any safety program and can help prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your toolbox talks are effective and engaging.

What are the Most Popular Safety Moment Topics?

Mental health, diversity and inclusion, incident reporting, slips, trips, and falls, falling objects, ladders and stairs, proper use of personal protective equipment (ppe), chemical and materials safety, workplace ergonomics and housekeeping, drugs and alcohol misuse in the workplace, road and driver safety, electrical safety, fire safety and evacuation plans, hazard identification, the basics of first aid, fatigue & stress management, covid-19 awareness and preparedness, safety moment videos.

if you aren’t confident in delivering your own safety moment then perhaps you could download one of the many videos available on YouTube?

Some Excellent Free Safety Moment Resources:

Halliburton

image

Download their Safety Moment Powerpoint Presentations

Download their Safety Moment Sheets in pdf

SafetyMoment

Safetymoment.com provide a collection of free safety moments from around the world. Categories include: Environmental, Remediation, Load and Transport, Fire, Office Fire Prevention, Health >>, OSHA Heat Safety Spanish, House and Home,  Poison Ivy, Landfills, Basic Waste Applications Training – Landfill Video (2001), Earthquake, Safety Awareness Test, Refinery and Plant

Free Safety Talks to Print for Your Next Safety Meeting

www.safetytalkideas.com –  Browse the 250+ completely free safety talks! Print them off to use for your next safety meeting or moment with your team. Use the category links below to segment the talks by the specified category to easily find what you are looking for. Just some of the examples from their resource page: https://www.safetytalkideas.com/safety-talks/

  • Achieving Safety Goals
  • Alcohol Use
  • Amputations
  • Annual Checkup
  • Asbestos Dangers
  • Attitude and Safety
  • Auto Accident Procedures
  • Automated External Defibrillators
  • Back Injuries and Prevention
  • Backing Up Hazards
  • Battery Handling
  • Battling Complacency
  • Bees and Wasps
  • Before a Work Task Begins
  • Being Client-focused (Construction Industry)

Safety Moments

from https://www.exec.gov.nl.ca/exec/hrs/employee_health_and_safety/safety_moments.html

A Safety Moment is a brief safety talk about a specific subject at the beginning of a meeting or shift. Also known as safety minutes or safety chats, these talks can be done in a variety of ways, but are typically a brief (2-5 minute) discussion on a safety related topic. They can cover a variety of safety topics and remind employees of the importance of being safe; at work, at home and in all aspects of our lives.

Including a Safety Moment at the beginning of your meeting can help bring safety issues or topics up in a timely, clear, brief, and non-threatening way. Safety Moments are designed to reinforce safety knowledge and everyone’s commitment towards a positive safety culture.

The listing of Safety Moments is general information not meant to replace departmental policy, protocol or safe work procedures, but to remind us about the importance of health and safety, help us recognize and control hazards, increase awareness and contribute to a culture of safety. Remember, there are potential hazards in all workplaces.

This listing has been created to provide employees and managers with ready access to Safety Moments for use in their meetings. We will continue to create additional Safety Moments to add to the database. Any suggestions for a Safety Moment or information on a safety topic can be forwarded to them

Also posted are presentation slides which can be downloaded and included in any presentation where you are starting with a safety moment.

  • Preventing Heat Exhaustion (251 KB)
  • Supervising Children Around Water (275 KB)
  • Rescue Guidelines When You are Alone and Fall Through the Ice (271 KB)
  • Rid the Household of Head Lice (275 KB)
  • ABC’s of Heavy Lifting (257 KB)
  • Identifying Confined Spaces (252 KB)
  • Before You Enter a Confined Space (255 KB)
  • Driving Safely (253 KB)
  • Working with Hearing Loss (257 KB)
  • Fall Protection (256 KB)
  • Ladders (Step) (253 KB)
  • Active Living at Work (298 KB)
  • Parking Lot Safety (275 KB)
  • ATM’s and ATM cards (282 KB)
  • Violence in the Workplace (Working Late) (274 KB)
  • Walking, Still our Best Medicine (275 KB)
  • Preparing for Safe Travel (277 KB)
  • Safe Travel (Tips for the Journey) (276 KB)
  • Safe Travel (Packing Tips) (277 KB)
  • Handling Suspicious Mail (284 KB)
  • Check-in Procedure for Employees Who Work Alone (280 KB)
  • Ergonomic Safety Rules for Moving Objects (280 KB)
  • General Safety Tips (276 KB)
  • Ladders (Storage and Handling) (256 KB)
  • Your Mental Health (Aging) (280 KB)
  • Noise Induced Hearing Loss (260 KB)
  • Rescue Guidelines When Someone Falls Through the Ice (276 KB)
  • Creating a Safe Workplace for Young Workers (278 KB)
  • Snow Blower (Safe Operation) (277 KB)
  • Stretches for the Back, Side and Legs (281 KB)
  • Stretches for the Hands and Forearms (281 KB)
  • Stretches for the Neck and Shoulders (281 KB)
  • Stretching at the Workstation (280 KB)
  • Understanding Ice Strength (276 KB)
  • Vehicle Visual Inspection (255 KB)
  • Work Safer – Working Alone (General Information to Consider) (281 KB)
  • Workplace Bullying (256 KB)

How about sharing some of your safety moments resources in the comments below?

3 ways to make your safety moments more personal – by ehs today.

Whether it’s at the start of a meeting, a shift or a conference call, we’ve all likely taken part in some form of a safety moment, where someone briefly talks about a specific topic related to safety.

Does your company do safety moments? If so, what do you consider to be an effective safety moment? It’s an interesting question, and one that I took a bit for granted until recently. I’ve heard people do safety moments in many different ways, with varying degrees of relevance to the actual work environment, but they all bring us back to the importance of safety in some way. READ MORE >>>>>

Safety Moment Examples: Try Something Unexpected

Safety moment examples often focus on core protocols, which, while important, can become dull. And when safety training becomes dull or routine, workers are more likely to check out. Try livening up your safety moments with some unconventional topics. This is a great way to re-engage staff—something new and unexpected will perk up your listeners. It’s also an effective way to go beyond conventional regulations, because while OSHA or other standardized regulations are important guidelines, in order to keep your staff safe, you need to go beyond regulations and get specific about your work environment. Regulations should be your base-level requirements, not your end goals. MORE >>>>>

Industrial Safety Moments App

Image of a safety moment

This convenient new tool is a compliance and training oriented approach to shared safety moments and easily accessible directly on your mobile device.

Total Safety designed the Industrial Safety Moments app with workers in mind. Total Safety experts applied more than 20 years of safety experience to develop real-world, relevant topical overviews, and conversation starters.

Plus each Total Safety Industrial Safety Moment links to the relevant regulatory requirements, making it easy to access and share critical information.

Users can find the perfect safety moment content by entering the app through the market specific – industrial channels on the opening screen. Once in the industrial channel of their choice, they can search by solutions in a wide array of safety categories such as gas detection, emergency rescue, fire prevention, respiratory protection, industrial hygiene, and much more.

Total Safety also provides a convenient tool at the bottom of each safety moment that allows users to receive a slide of that safety moment for insertion into a presentation. And, with the touch of a button, users can easily share the app with a friend.

The Total Safety Industrial Safety Moments App can be downloaded straight to your IOS or Android device: Download from iTunes Store Download from Google Play

QUESTION: How effective was your last safety moment? Did you end up doing more harm than good? If people detect even a hint of hidden agenda or it comes across as contrived or a tick n flick then you are wasting your time and theirs………..

best safety presentation topics

Top 10 Simple Things You Can Do To Dramatically Improve Safety

You will probably not find many of these in text books or regulations …… Discover what they are here >>>>>

Christmas Safety Messages, Toolbox Talks, Safety Moments and Slogans

best safety presentation topics

10 Workplace Safety Topics for Meetings to Bookmark

https://www.vistaprojects.com › blog › workplace-safet…

3 Apr 2021 — Workplace safety moments , or toolbox talks, can cover a variety of topics. These are regular opportunities for coworkers to discuss safety …

Toolbox Talks

Health and safety resource centre.

Consulting and communicating with workers on health and safety matters is not only good practice, but a legislative requirement.  It is especially important when introducing a new plant, equipment, work practices or systems and helps a workplace to eliminate or minimise hazards from the beginning.

Improvements in health and safety are achieved when management workers (including contractors) and other stakeholders (such as engagers of contractors and recruiters) identify, discuss and resolve issues.

To enable effective consultation and communication many organisations use ‘Toolbox Talks’. A Toolbox Talk is an informal health and safety meeting that focuses on topics related to the workplace or job, such as hazards, safe work practices and how the organisation is minimising risks.

The following Toolbox Talk topics provide information about common workplace hazards along with guidance for the facilitator. Organisations may wish to add their own information to each resource.

Name Published

Toolbox Talk: Coronavirus (COVID-19) 06 Apr 2020

Toolbox Talk: Mental Health at Work 20 Jan 2020

Toolbox Talk: The Dangers of Sitting 16 Apr 2019

Toolbox Talk: Noise 16 Apr 2019

Toolbox Talk: Sun Safety 12 Apr 2019

Toolbox Talk: Working at Heights 01 Mar 2019

Toolbox Talk: Slips, Trips and Falls 01 Mar 2019

Toolbox Talk: Separating Forklifts and Pedestrians 01 Mar 2019

Toolbox Talk: How to Report an Incident 01 Mar 2019

Toolbox Talk: Emergency Response

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A team gathers around a conference table to discuss safety topics.

12 Monthly Safety Topics to Train All Year Round

Almost two-thirds of surveyed employees feel less than confident about what they would do if faced with an emergency at work. But training can help, and regular safety meetings are especially helpful to engage employees in long-term preparedness efforts.

Blog-CTA-Sidebar-Graphic-2024-Safety-Calendar

  • What Is a Safety Topic?
  • What Is the Best Topic for a Safety Meeting?
  • 12 Safety Topics Ideas

As a safety leader, your efforts matter on a daily basis to improve safety outcomes overall and prepare the company to weather a crisis. But on the day of a real crisis, the efforts of many individuals will matter much more. The bad news is that only 38% of workers feel strongly that they’d know what to do in the event of an emergency at work, according to the 2022 State of Employee Safety Report . The good news is that employees who participate in safety training are at least 25% more likely to know what to do if an emergency arises.

The best way to ensure safety engagement , keep best practices top of mind, and prepare your people to carry out the emergency response plans you’ve thoughtfully developed is to conduct regular safety training and safety meetings. When you introduce new safety topics or sub-topics at each meeting, you challenge participants to engage with fresh information—rather than risk having them tune out familiar content.

We’ll outline twelve monthly safety topics (and a few national safety observances) that you can use to reinforce best practices and teach your team how to stay safe. These topics cover a range of hazards and safety initiatives that can apply to any business. Whether you work in environmental health and safety (EHS), security, or a related field, you can use these topics to guide weekly or monthly safety meetings or inform the training you assign.

12 Safety Topics for Work

Download our 2024 safety calendar, what is a safety topic.

A safety topic supports comprehensive safety training by guiding a more focused discussion. You can address safety topics with bigger or smaller groups and tailor these discussions to teams’ unique safety concerns. When you hold safety-focused talks regularly on a variety of topics, you support broader preparedness efforts. In this way, you also cultivate an organizational safety culture , making everyone accountable for safety goals.

These safety meetings take on all different shapes and sizes depending on what an organization needs them to achieve. They also take on many names: safety moments , safety talks, toolbox talks, tailgate talks, safety chats, and others. The name you choose matters less than the content and the effectiveness of the meetings themselves. But many organizations choose a name to match the intended tone and help participants feel connected to the regular safety training commitment.

12 Safety Topics for Monthly Meetings

You can organize safety meetings around a structured format with a clear list of procedures or other details to cover. Or you can plan safety talks with a loose structure to facilitate a discussion and challenge team members to think critically about the topic at hand. Remember that you don’t need to fit everything into one meeting; there’s always next week or next month. Sometimes, you just need a topic idea to get the conversation started. Consider using a safety meeting agenda to maximize engagement and knowledge retention.

What is the best topic for a safety meeting?

The best safety topic for work is one that supports the following:

  • Your emergency preparedness and response readiness
  • Employee buy-in for safety initiatives
  • Refreshers of less-frequent safety training
  • Interest and engagement in efforts that benefit employee well-being as well as the business itself

You’ll find a substantial list below of workplace safety topics for meetings that are adaptable to your company’s identified threats, preparedness priorities, and current safety goals. But you can also develop your own list. What work-related safety topic would make the most significant difference in your team’s awareness and productivity today? How might you build on your team’s growing risk awareness and emergency readiness, one topic after another?

You might decide that everyday ergonomics is the topic for the week that will help lay the base for employee buy-in, engagement, and general well-being. Another week, you might decide to focus on hurricane communications to ensure your people know how to respond when they receive specific messages during a storm. Or you might concentrate on common OSHA violations and ways team members can support compliance.

1. January: Inclement Weather

Inclement weather is defined as any severe or harsh weather condition that makes it unsafe or impractical to travel, commute, or work outdoors. Every region and every business faces weather-related threats and challenges, and what might be normal weather conditions in one region may be dangerous in another. Create an inclement weather policy and best practices based on the regional threats you identify.

Guiding questions:

  • What inclement weather events might disrupt your business operations?
  • What should your employees do when inclement weather hits?
  • What is your plan when employees cannot safely get to or leave work?
  • How and when will you communicate about severe weather with your employees?

Inclement-weather safety tips:

  • Plan ahead for how employees will work from home if road conditions are bad.
  • Have emergency kits in the office in case people get trapped in the facility.

2. February: Workplace Violence

The CDC defines workplace violence as any “act or threat of violence, ranging from verbal abuse to physical assaults directed toward persons at work or on duty.” Examples include physical assault, robbery, and theft or destruction of private or company property. It can be caused by a coworker, contractor, customer, or former employee, and it can happen anywhere inside or outside the office.

  • What are the signs of potential workplace violence?
  • Where can your employees hide if violence breaks out in your workplace?
  • Who on site would need to be notified about any workplace violence?
  • What specific types of workplace violence might your business face?

Workplace violence prevention tips:

  • Improve the physical security like lighting and door access of your worksites.
  • Offer situational awareness training and tabletop exercises to prepare employees in a low-stress work environment.

Watch this video to learn the fundamentals of compelling safety talks, discover new topic ideas, and get facilitation tips.

10 Safety Meeting Topics video link

3. March: Health and Wellness

Your employees’ health and wellness are as much a matter of workplace safety as preventing violence and responding to natural disasters are. Preventing disease outbreaks, providing ergonomic support, and preventing injuries should all be considered part of your general safety program.

  • What is your sick-day policy?
  • Do your employees know about proper ergonomics?
  • How will your business handle a disease outbreak in your workplace or location?
  • How can you support the overall health of employees?

Health and wellness safety tips:

  • Walk employees through healthcare coverage options so they know what is available.
  • Encourage healthy practices, including good sleep, nutrition, and exercise.

4. April: Natural Disasters

Often sudden and destructive, natural disasters put your people, facilities, and operations at risk. Not to mention, your employees’ families and homes are also at risk when disasters strike. These events vary wildly depending on location, and climate change is increasing their impacts and frequency.

  • What natural disasters most commonly affect your area?
  • What are your evacuation plans for a disaster at your workplace?
  • How will you navigate disaster recovery?
  • When and how will you notify employees about predicted or imminent disasters, as well as planned responses?

Natural disaster recovery tips:

  • Assign specific people to perform different recovery efforts, including communication.
  • Research FEMA resources and support before an incident so you can quickly access support after a disaster.

5. May: Mental Health

Even in the workplace, mental health consists of a person’s social, psychological, and emotional well-being, and it takes into account factors like stress management, decision-making, and thought patterns. Mental health can greatly impact the quality of life, and poor mental health can create lasting detrimental effects if not addressed. As you have conversations with your employees, explore how their mental health fits into your duty of care with active support and a conducive work environment.

  • How will you identify and support employees struggling with their mental health?
  • What benefits do you have for mental health?
  • How can you encourage a good work-life balance?
  • What should employees do if they are struggling with their mental health?

Mental health safety tips:

  • Encourage employees to take breaks during the day.
  • Train managers on how to best support their teams mentally and emotionally.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Participate in Mental Health Awareness Month in May by prioritizing your employees’ mental health. Consider offering extra paid time off or hosting events like meditations in the workplace. Explain what mental health support is available and how to access it should employees ever need it.

6. June: PPE and Equipment Safety

Whether it’s helmets, reflective vests, face masks, or fall protection, your employees need the right personal protective equipment (PPE) to stay safe. And training for the proper use of heavy equipment and power tools, whether on the factory floor or in a company vehicle, will prevent workplace injuries and accidents.

  • How often do you train employees on how to properly use their PPE, including when and how to replace damaged or worn-out PPE?
  • Have there been accidents with heavy machinery or equipment? How could these incidents have been prevented?
  • What hazardous materials (e.g., chemicals like radon) or heavy equipment (e.g., forklifts) are your employees working around regularly?
  • What protocols should employees follow when working with dangerous equipment? (E.g., lockout tagout (LOTO), electrical safety protocols, ladder safety protocols.)

Workplace equipment safety tips:

  • Check out the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s requirements and suggestions for PPE.
  • Encourage and reward employees who practice safe behavior and report potential hazards and near misses.

June is National Safety Month

In June, the National Safety Council (NSC) provides a wide range of safety resources to support National Safety Month . You can use these resources to bring health and safety front and center in your day-to-day. It can be as simple as hosting a safety meeting or seminar, or you can go big with a safety contest for employees. No matter how you celebrate, make sure your employees know just how much their safety matters to you and your business.

7. July: Heat Safety

Working in extreme heat, especially in heavy protective gear, can be hazardous for workers. Even before the summer months bring heat waves, you need to commit to heat stress prevention . This is especially true as climate change brings more frequent and severe heat in many areas. As the threat of extreme rises, OSHA is putting together new regulations on heat exposure for workers, and now is the time to train your team on better heat safety procedures. It may save lives.

  • Do you have policies in place for extreme heat?
  • What are the signs of heat illness?
  • Where are your employees most likely to experience heat stress?
  • Are there any interior spaces that might pose a heat risk?

Heat safety tips:

  • Provide ample water and air-conditioned spaces for employees working in extreme heat.
  • Encourage employees to wear breathable fabrics as much as possible. Check out our full list of heat safety tips .

8. August: Fire Prevention

Nearly all employees have participated in a fire drill at one point or another, but that doesn’t mean you can check fire safety off the list. Structure fires can be very destructive and cause severe harm to people and property alike—especially if employees are ill-prepared to respond. Fire safety awareness calls for regular refreshers, especially when you update procedures and evacuation routes.

  • Do all employees know the fire evacuation plan ?
  • When was the last time your workplace had its fire doors and fire extinguishers checked?
  • Are employees practicing good fire safety in the office/facility?
  • What are your most significant fire risks, and how can you mitigate potential impacts?

Fire safety tips:

  • Run regular fire drills and revise your evacuation plan as needed based on how the exercises go.
  • Assign the role of fire warden to someone on staff, and ensure this person is sufficiently empowered to take charge of workplace fire prevention tasks.

This step-by-step video will guide you through the process of conducting a fire drill at work.

Fire Drill Video Cover

9. September: Emergency Preparedness

Emergencies can happen at any time, so advance preparation and constant vigilance are critical to ensure your business is ready to respond. Perform threat assessments to determine the risks you should prioritize. Then develop emergency response plans , and keep your team in the loop with training and safety meetings.

  • What emergency plans do you already have, and what plans do you need?
  • Who is responsible for communicating with affected employees during an emergency?
  • What emergencies are good fits for running drills or tabletop exercises ?
  • How can you better communicate with your team when there is an emergency?

Emergency preparedness tips:

  • Invest in technology like threat intelligence and an alert notification system to make your planning more manageable and more reliable.
  • Use a threat matrix to quantify the threats you face and prioritize preparedness efforts.

September is National Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month is a great time to assess and revise your emergency preparedness plans. Involve your employees by practicing your plans—you can even use it as a team-building opportunity and create emergency kits as a group.

10. October: Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity often gets overlooked in the context of workplace safety, but don’t underestimate the risks to your operations and business continuity . It’s critical to teach your employees good cybersecurity practices and ensure they are set up to protect themselves and your business from cyberattacks.

  • What are the signifiers of a phishing scam attempt?
  • How will you notify employees or customers if there is a system outage due to a cyberattack?
  • What can you do to mitigate the risk of cyberattacks?
  • What information might be at risk?

Cybersecurity tips:

  • Conduct cybersecurity awareness training, and teach employees about common tactics such as phishing.
  • Ensure all your employees are using strong passwords and two-factor authentication when possible.
  • Frequently back up important information, and make sure you are using reputable third-party systems.
  • Consider a converged security approach to improve physical and cybersecurity simultaneously.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

You can use Cybersecurity Awareness Month to jumpstart your cyber preparedness efforts. Run phishing scam drills and teach your employees how to protect their data. If you don’t already have one, create a cybersecurity response plan so you are ready to mitigate the damage if an attack occurs.

11. November: First Aid

Some emergencies will require professional medical attention, but first aid can address many common workplace injuries. Even when significant emergencies occur, you won’t always have immediate access to first responders or even managers/company leaders, so it’s essential to have people on the ground who can act quickly to respond to injuries and help mitigate harm—even prevent fatalities.

  • Do your employees know what hazardous situations—emergency or otherwise—might arise in the workplace?
  • How many employees are trained in CPR or first aid?
  • Where are first aid supplies stored in the workplace?
  • Do employees know how to differentiate between the kinds of injuries that need hospital care and those that do not?

First aid tips:

  • Host first aid training for employees and incentivize or even mandate participation.
  • Place first aid kits around the office, clearly label them, and keep them stocked.

12. December: Cold Safety

While there is no OSHA standard for cold-weather safety , protecting your employees from cold-weather harm is an aspect of your duty of care. Implement procedures and safety initiatives to protect your team from cold-weather injuries and illnesses, including hypothermia, fall hazards, frostbite, and colds or the flu.

  • Who is most at risk of cold-weather injuries or illness?
  • What are the signs of hypothermia and frostbite?
  • What is the communication plan for extreme cold or winter weather events?
  • What resources can you provide to employees working outside in cold weather?
  • What hazards exist on the job site that could result in slips, trips, and falls , and how do winter conditions exacerbate these hazards?

Cold-weather safety tips:

  • Winterize all offices and worksites for injury prevention and suitable work environments. Make sure sidewalks and parking lots are clear of snow and ice, apply de-icing materials, and supply space heaters or generators.
  • Create cold weather kits, especially for employees who might be driving in cold weather .

Next Steps for Safety Engagement

With these safety topics, you can run engaging, relevant safety meetings and inform training that will actually help keep your employees safe all year long. When you make safety a priority and ingrain it into the very culture of your workplace, your employees are much more likely to know just how much you care, and they’ll make safer choices overall.

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Opinion Front

Opinion Front

101 Extremely Useful Safety Meeting Topics

This article enlists 101 safety meeting topics that can be used for multifarious purposes and varied groups of target audiences.

Safety Meeting Topics

Conducting safety meetings is a very efficient and an easy way to provide safety information to the employees of an organization or residents of a particular area or group. These are generally more effective when held in an informal group without full-scale meetings which includes slides, charts, and graphs as it allows participants to share their real-time experiences relevant and beneficial for all.

Safety Meetings

If these meetings are presented in an effective manner, the presenter should be able to grab a listener’s attention as he will be providing information that will be beneficial to the participants. The presenter should be clear, concise and crisp discussing only a handful of topics at a time. The meeting should end with the presenter revising all the main points in the meeting.

While choosing safety meeting topics, it is important to know the target audience well. When I say this, I mean that the presenter should have a fair idea about the participants and why they need to attend a particular session. For example, a safety meeting conducted for housewives with the topic ‘welding hazards’ will be of little use. Whereas, if the same meeting is conducted with the topic as ‘safety precautions to be taken during blackouts’, the meeting will be far more successful and will be very useful to women.

At the work place, I have often noticed that employees tend to get careless about safety and feel that safety meetings are a waste of time. It is imperative that they are forced to attend these meetings as even if they do not acknowledge the advice that is imparted to them during these meetings, they will be aware of the protocol in cases of exigencies. An excellent way to ensure that all employees attend the safety meetings is by making it a mandatory activity.

List of 101 Safety Meeting Topics

  • Why safety is a necessity
  • What are the safety signs
  • Safety materials
  • Understanding toxic materials
  • How to use compressed gas cylinders safely
  • How to use power tools safely
  • Effective use of jacks safely
  • How to drive safely during winter
  • Safety precautions to be taken during welding
  • Protect your eyes
  • Safety precautions to be taken in case of a fire
  • How to use the fire extinguishers
  • Safety precautions for a truck driver
  • Safety around scaffolds
  • What to do when a building catches fire
  • How to maintain good hygiene
  • How to work around electricity
  • How to prevent cold stress injuries
  • How to prevent heat stress injuries
  • Safety tips while on a holiday
  • Safety while using a ladder
  • Safety tips to prevent back injury
  • Cold storage safety
  • Concrete construction safety
  • Safety precautions while working with a crane
  • Earthquake safety
  • Handle glass safely
  • First aid in case of burns safety tips for a hotel worker
  • Pruning precautions
  • Safety tips for x-ray technicians
  • Woodworking tool safety
  • Sharpen your safety awareness
  • Safety tips for security guards
  • Safety tips for a landscaper
  • Safety tips for log cutters
  • Safety tips to be followed in the laboratory
  • Safety while using motorcycle jacks
  • Insect and spider bites
  • Safety tips for dry cleaners
  • Importance of seat belts
  • How to use a nail gun safely
  • Refueling safety
  • Protection against falls
  • Tips on using safety gear
  • Tips on washing hands
  • Safety tips while working with chemicals
  • Tips on handling tools for safety
  • Using first aid
  • Tips on right posture while working
  • Hand injuries
  • Tips on handling electronics
  • Safety tips while working with corrosives
  • Water Transportation
  • Safety issues when with Concrete and Cement
  • Cycling on concrete
  • Safety in Warehouses
  • Wildlife Safety Precautions
  • Safety tips while working with solvents
  • Safe storage and disposal of oil or solvent-soaked fabrics
  • Boat safety
  • Railway Operations Safety
  • Overexposure to the sun
  • Protection against UV radiation
  • Swimming pool safety
  • Safe Chlorine Use
  • Safety in a Restaurant
  • Swing safety at the children’s park
  • Sprains and strains prevention
  • Personal Protection Against Violence in the Workplace
  • Precautions to take when availing public transport
  • Wet floor safety
  • Safety while driving children to places
  • Dangers of getting too drunk at parties
  • Halloween safety
  • Traveling with old people
  • Importance of checking cosmetic ingredients
  • Staying vigilant about the medicine cabinet at home
  • Pet safety at home
  • Pet safety at garden
  • Pet safety at the beach
  • Pet safety at the park
  • Pet safety while commuting
  • Pet safety on the road
  • Pet safety around children outside the family
  • Airport safety
  • Allergies and allergy kits
  • What to do during emergency evacuations
  • Responsibility of the media and handling sensitive issues
  • Importance of staying away from rumor-mongering during emergencies
  • Camping safety
  • Nature of epidemics
  • The importance of baby-proofing an apartment
  • Keeping medicines and ointments out of reach of children
  • Monitoring television programs that children watch
  • Monitoring internet surfing of children
  • Online banking safety
  • Dangers of phishing
  • Importance of installing burglar alarms
  • Safe garbage disposal

You can also hire special organizations that help conduct these meetings. These organizations will be specially beneficial if the work undertaken at your organization or group is very dangerous or varied, involving a number of people.

For safety meetings to be truly successful, it is imperative that these meetings are held on a regular basis so that updated information is constantly circulated and the individual is always on the alert. Also, the topics of the meeting can be recycled annually or as per the needs of an organization or residential society or group. A little bit of alertness on everybody’s part will go a long way in ensuring safety of the individual and the society in general.

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best safety presentation topics

7 Interesting February Safety Topics To Cover In 2023

As we covered in the January safety topics , it’s important to keep your daily toolbox talks and safety messages of the month as topical as possible. While workplace safety is a theme that works year-round, you need to stay focused on the potential hazards that your employees are currently faced with. 

Don’t forget that you can also use our December safety topics piece for inspiration. Many of the hazards from the last two months are still relevant today. 

February Safety Topics

Although, at some latitudes, the month of February is a little lighter and slightly less cold than December and January, we’re still better off talking about best practices for winter safety. What’s important to remember is that your toolbox talks don’t have to be boring. You can liven them up with funny safety moment ideas or even some funny OSHA violation memes and videos. This can help fill up your February safety calendar and make it easier to get your message across.

Lighting and visibility

Low lighting and poor visibility are two of the most prevalent issues which affect most workers. Even if they work inside during the day, the short days will mean that your coworkers get to and leave work in the dark. Not only does this affect their safety, but also on their fatigue levels — something we will talk about next.

As to visibility, it’s important to make sure your staff is safe when they are working past sunset at warehouses, construction sites, and the like. If you’re not sure about the latest rules, take a look at OSHA’s high-visibility warning garments requirements . 

In short, these regulations cover:

  • Who needs to wear high visibility workwear
  • The difference between appropriate daytime and nighttime high-vis clothing
  • Which colors and reflective tape patterns are required
  • If and how requirements change between weather types, seasons, and temperatures

Winter fatigue and its implications

As above, the low visibility and dark evenings can cause worker fatigue . While this is a year-round concern due to long hours, irregular working patterns, or shift work, it is often amplified by poor weather and the lack of sunlight. The short days also mean that it may be harder to get up in the mornings , making your staff feel rushed and disoriented when they get to work.

Winter fatigue shouldn’t be overlooked because it can cause a decrease in hazard perception, productivity, and adherence to safety measures. It can also affect workers’ mental health. 

That’s why winter fatigue toolbox talks go hand in hand with mental health toolbox talks. Poor mental health can be caused in winter due to SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). But there are also additional rules to consider when you’re aware that a staff member is suffering, and it’s vital that you support them at work when this is the case. Even though mental health doesn’t fall under the OSHA recordable criteria , it’s still a key hazard and, so, a key toolbox talk topic for a safe working environment.

February is one of the wettest months of the year and, as such, rainwater needs to be taken into consideration. Although it might sound like a dull topic, wet surfaces can cause hazards for all employees. Wet floors can contribute to workplace safety accidents such as slips, trips, and falls. Not only that, but OSHA also notes that heavy rain can increase the danger of using cranes and hoists particularly for those working in construction.

The combination of rainwater and cold air can also create snow, ice, and slippery surfaces. While there aren’t any specific guidelines around working in the rain, OSHA recommends:

  • Moving cautiously, particularly on ladders or at heights
  • Using the correct equipment and tools that can be used in the rain with non-slip handles
  • Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) including proper footwear and trousers that don’t drag on the floor
  • Suitable hand protection with grip
  • Wearing high-visibility clothing to make sure all workers can be seen by each other

Gritting and icy roads

On a similar note, rainwater and cold weather can cause icy roads. OSHA’s PPP (prepare, protect, prevent) is the ideal safety slogan for winter driving, and, why not, a great short safety message that sticks . 

Download, print, and share OSHA’s guidelines on winter driving to make sure you’re giving your employees and contractors the information they need to stay safe.

Bonus: Safety Topics Inspired By The Latest Safety Events

As we’ve said before, (a few times!) there is nothing that’s better for retention than creating a topical safety theme. In February, there are several topics that you should cover. Consider creating posters, sharing funny safety slogans , following some interesting YouTube safety channels , or researching other resources for some video inspiration!

National Heart Month

Global employee health is important at all times. However, with the CDC reporting that heart conditions are responsible for one death every 36 seconds in the US, National Heart Month (or American Heart Month) is an event not to be missed.

There are several risk factors when it comes to heart health. These include:

  • Being overweight or obses
  • An unhealthy diet
  • Physical inactivity
  • Excessive alcohol or drug use

Helpfully, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) has put together some downloadable content, videos, and GIFs to share with your team around heart disease. Even if you cram the topic into just one of your toolbox talks, make sure that your employees are aware of the risk factors. You can remind them throughout the month of the importance of taking care of their hearts.

National Burn Awareness Week

Another important and interesting topic with in-work and at-home implications is National Burn Awareness Week. In February 2021, it runs from February 7-13, and is the perfect opportunity for safety leaders to talk about burn prevention and awareness.

Organized by Americburn, Burn Awareness Week this year is on the theme of “Electrical Safety from Amps to Zap (A to Z!”.. As a result, they’ve created some handy burn graphics which give practical tips that you can share and put up in relevant places at work. They also make for great safety content to share on social media or for internal communications. 

To make this even more relevant, consider sharing information about burns that applies to your day-to-day workplace. For example, this may include refreshing your employees on the lockout and tagout steps . OSHA data has shown that proper lockout and tagout standards can prevent as many as 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries every year, meaning it’s a topic not to be ignored. For a quick guide, read and review this OSHA Factsheet .

Finally, another effective way of reducing burns and workplace accidents is by adhering to the correct fire extinguisher standards. This doesn’t just mean storing in the right place. This means training your staff on how to use them, making sure they’re in a working condition and are fully maintained. If you think your team is unsure, start by checking OSHA’s fire extinguisher placement requirements . Ensure that your equipment is up-to-date with the right protocols in case of a fire. 

Tinnitus Awareness Week (UK)

Finally, Tinnitus Awareness Week is held in the UK in February 2021. From February 1-7, the aim is to support the research that needs supporting to fund more support for people who suffer from Tinnitus. Tinnitus is caused by ear problems in either your outer, middle or inner ear. It is characterized by a loud ringing, humming, or high-pitched noise that you can hear even when there is nothing to cause the sound.

In the US, studies show that Tinnitus affects up to 32% of the population, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. One of the biggest risk factors for Tinnitus is exposure to loud noise, making it particularly prevalent in those who work in construction, manufacturing, or with heavy machinery and equipment. OSHA has some guidelines on the health effects of noise , where they explain that Tinnitus can lead to higher workplace accidents, communication issues, and also psychological stress. So, it’s important that you’re able to share and recognize the risk factors with your employees. 

While it’s still a dull and dreary month, your February safety topics can be truly interesting and helpful when you consider the February safety calendar. It raises a lot of really important and interesting topics. By rotating through monthly safety topics year-round, you can ensure that your staff is always up-to-date with the latest safety regulations and rules. But don’t forget to keep it engaging and fun! Personally, we think these safety slogans that rhyme are a great place to start.

References and further reading

  • Safety Culture Perception Surveys: The Complete Guide
  • How To Create A Safety Message Of The Month That Sticks
  • Successful Safety Incentive Program Examples
  • OSHA Safety eTools
  • OSHA Guide To Educating and Training Staff

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    The 'best' way to make a safety topic interesting is to make it relevant to your audience. Relevance might mean that it is a topic specific to this project or days work, or that the discussion is stemming from a near miss or incident which occurred yesterday. The best part of focusing on relevance as your source of interest is that it creates ...

  15. 30 Safety Topics For Work: Topics, Ideas And Safety Messages

    30 safety topics and messages to send in 2024. Ensuring a safe workplace can start today. We've created the following compilation of safety topics you can use as a guide for maintaining a safe work environment and fostering a culture of well-being within your organization. 1. Importance of proper lifting techniques.

  16. 10 Safety Topics for Work

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  17. Safety Moment Ideas: 30 Safety Moments For Work In 2023

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  18. 10 Workplace Safety Topics for Meetings to Bookmark

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  19. Free Safety Moments and Toolbox Talk Examples, Tips and Resources

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  20. 5-Minute PowerPoint Presentations

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  21. 12 Monthly Safety Topics for Work [+ Calendar for 2024]

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  22. 101 Extremely Useful Safety Meeting Topics

    Safety tips while on a holiday. Safety while using a ladder. Safety tips to prevent back injury. Cold storage safety. Concrete construction safety. Safety precautions while working with a crane. Earthquake safety. Handle glass safely. First aid in case of burns safety tips for a hotel worker.

  23. 7 Interesting February Safety Topics To Cover In 2023

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