They are short, informal meetings often held at the start of a shift.

A toolbox talk – also known as a “safety huddle” – is where supervisors warn workers about safety hazards. Ideally they keep track of who was there because they are responsible for informing each and every worker.

A selection of toolbox talks is available on the WorkSafeBC website – and they include a page for workers to sign. This makes it easier for employers to be sure the information reaches everyone who needs to know it. Topics range from asbestos to WHMIS. There’s something for all industries, with new talks being added regularly. Some of the talks are available in multiple languages.

Employers can customize the content of the talk templates for their own specific situations.

Image from new WorkSafe Bulletin: Conveyor hazards in shake and shingle mills

Conveyor hazards in shake and shingle mills is one new talk, published online in March 2015.

“Recently, there have been several serious injuries and worker fatalities related to material conveyor systems at wood products manufacturing facilities, including shake and shingle mills,” reads the outline that describes the hazard and offers advice for addressing it.

“As a worker, there are some simple things you can do to keep yourself safe when working with or around conveyors.”

Employers are responsible – under Sections 12.23 and 12.28 of BC’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulation – for “ensuring that your conveyors have adequate safeguarding and that your workers are trained to work safely on and around conveyors,” reads this new safety bulletin for employers, released with the talk above.

“Conveyors are useful for moving materials quickly, but operating an unguarded conveyor can lead to serious injury or death,” it reads.

It’s amazing how much information we can find online today – related to work and anything else we may need to know. Have you found any good, free sources of workplace safety info lately? Do tell.