Work Area Best Practices Toolbox Talk

Work Area Best Practices Safety Talk

A messy, chaotic work environment is especially hazardous. When equipment, tools, and materials aren't used properly or kept well organized, everyone onsite is at greater risk.

Use this general work area safety toolbox talk to help identify potential issues and maintain a cleaner, safer jobsite.

Disorganized work areas create safety hazards

Always remember that an unclean work environment is an unsafe one. There are many different types of incidents that are more likely to occur when the work area is cluttered and disorganized.

Slip, trips, and falls

Slips, trips, and falls occur more frequently when the work area is not properly maintained. To help prevent accidents, follow these guidelines:

• Whenever a substance spills, it must be cleaned immediately.

• Equipment and tools should be put away in their proper places immediately after use.

• Pay close attention to any unevenness of the ground and any walking surfaces onsite. If a walking surface is uneven, this can lead to trips and falls. Mark any problem areas clearly to help others avoid tripping.

Struck-by incidents

There is a greater risk of a struck-by incident occurring whenever heavy equipment is present on the jobsite. There is also greater risk whenever tasks must be completed from heights above ground level. Workers can easily be struck by machinery or falling tools or debris.

Ideally, construction crews will clearly mark and even block off areas where work involving heavy machinery or overhead activity is taking place. Anyone that must pass through an area where this type of work is being conducted should make sure to wear the required PPE.

Caught in or between incidents

When operating heavy equipment, always wear your PPE and make sure you're aware of the safety requirements to complete the job.

To help avoid caught in or between incidents, any long hair should be pulled back and secured at all times, and no loose clothing should be worn when working with or around heavy machinery.

Best practices for a safe work environment

Always keep work areas clean

Whether it be tripping over unattended materials or slipping on wet floors, when the work area isn't well maintained, there is a greater chance the someone will end up getting hurt. Always clean up tools, materials, and any debris after you finish working, and if there are any accidental spills or messes, address them as soon as possible.

If there is ever a mess cannot be cleaned promptly for a legitimate reason, the affected area should be clearly marked or blocked off.

If there is a space that frequently gets wet or slick from rainwater or materials, consider putting a grit down to avoid falls.

Anywhere that there are steps up or down, mark them with signage so they are clearly visible.

Block moving parts of all equipment

If someone can potentially get stuck in moving parts of a piece of equipment, take the necessary steps to have those areas of the machinery blocked off from access. Whenever possible, you want to eliminate hazards and reduce instances of injuries.

Keep equipment and tools organized

All tools and equipment should have a designated area for storage. That way, what you need can be easily found when you need it. And, you can protect both your coworkers and the equipment itself from harm. When tools or equipment are left laying out in the open, not only can they get damaged, but they can also pose as a safety hazard.

All employees are responsible for picking up after themselves for the safety of themselves and their coworkers. Practicing good housekeeping on the jobsite is one of the simplest ways to promote safety.

Have designated walking areas

Employees will often need to walk from one area to another on the jobsite. Designating specific walking areas that will remain clear of heavy equipment is the best option to make sure there is always a safe path.

Many worksites will color code walking paths so employees easily know which one is best for them to take at different times and in different situations.

Schedule regular employee safety meetings

Regular safety meetings help employees stay up to date with proper safety protocol. From time to time, safety guidelines will change. From an employer's perspective, having routine meetings provides more opportunities to bring those changes to everyone's attention.

For employees, attending these meetings will give them the opportunity to ask any questions they may have or address any problems that are happening.

Here are some examples of important topics to cover.

Emergency exits

Make sure that all emergency exits are always clear of all clutter. That includes tools, equipment, and debris. An emergency exit is never a good place to store items or even place them there temporarily.

You never know when an emergency is going to occur the will require you to have easy access to that door. When debris is blocking the emergency exit, it can slow down traffic getting out.

It is a good idea to periodically touch base on where emergency exits are and the importance of keeping them clear.

Reports of problems

Hazards need to be addressed promptly. Every employee should know where to go and who to talk to when there is a safety problem.

During an employee meeting, reiterate how to report issues noticed on the jobsite.

Personal protective equipment

To be as safe as possible in your work environment, knowing what PPE to wear and when to use it is necessary.

The department that you work in and the tasks you perform determine the protective gear you must wear. Cover the importance of proper PPE use in employee safety meetings.

Discuss changes

Safety procedures can evolve over time and need to be updated. Any updates should be discussed with all staff as soon as possible.

Also, when there is new equipment or tools available, all employees should be informed on the correct way to use them.

Things to remember

It's important to remember that it is a part of your job to follow safety guidelines. Your employer puts these rules into place to protect you and all workers.

If you notice a hazard or unsafe behavior, you should report it. Always be aware of your surroundings and strive to maintain a safer work area.