Toolbox Talk Template & Guide
A toolbox talk template for daily safety meetings. Covers the topic, hazards, controls, and worker acknowledgment. Includes example toolbox talks you can adapt.
What is a Toolbox Talk?
A toolbox talk (also called a pre-start meeting or safety briefing) is a short (5–15 minute) safety meeting held before the start of a shift or a specific job. It covers the specific hazards and controls for the work being done that day. Toolbox talks are not training sessions — they're reminders and discussions about safety in the context of today's work.
Toolbox Talk Template
Meeting Information
Date: ____________________ Time: ____________________
Location: _____________________________________________________
Presented by: _________________________________________________
Topic: _______________________________________________________
Today's Work
Description of work: _____________________________________________
Equipment involved: ____________________________________________
Location of work: ______________________________________________
Hazards Identified
Hazard 1: _____________________________________________________
Hazard 2: _____________________________________________________
Hazard 3: _____________________________________________________
Hazard 4: _____________________________________________________
Controls
Control for Hazard 1: ___________________________________________
Control for Hazard 2: ___________________________________________
Control for Hazard 3: ___________________________________________
Control for Hazard 4: ___________________________________________
PPE required: __________________________________________________
Permits required: ______________________________________________
Emergency Information
Assembly point: _______________________________________________
Emergency contacts: ____________________________________________
First aid officer: ______________________________________________
Attendees
Name: ______________________ Signature: ___________________
Name: ______________________ Signature: ___________________
Name: ______________________ Signature: ___________________
Name: ______________________ Signature: ___________________
Name: ______________________ Signature: ___________________
Example Topics
- Working at heights — fall protection, harness inspection, anchor points
- Electrical safety — LOTO, arc flash, safe distances from live equipment
- Manual handling — lifting techniques, team lifts, mechanical aids
- Hot work — fire prevention, fire watch, housekeeping
- Confined space — gas testing, ventilation, rescue plan
- Hand tool safety — correct use, inspection, storage
- Slips, trips, and falls — housekeeping, spill cleanup, footwear
- PPE — what's required today, inspection of equipment
- Heat stress — hydration, rest breaks, symptoms
- Compressed gas safety — storage, handling, regulators
Tips for Effective Toolbox Talks
- Keep it short — 5–15 minutes. Attention spans are limited.
- Make it relevant — talk about today's work, not generic safety theory.
- Encourage participation — ask workers to contribute hazards they see.
- Don't just read from a sheet — discuss and engage.
- Record attendance — it's evidence that safety was communicated.
- Follow up — if a worker raises a safety concern, act on it and report back.
- Vary the topics — don't repeat the same talk every week.
- Use real incidents — near-misses and incidents from your site are powerful learning tools.