Tailgate talks are short meetings that can strengthen your OSHA training efforts and keep safety first in workers’ minds. Here are four tips to get the most out of tailgate talks:
1 Keep it on site
Hold tailgate talks at the worksite in a quiet area if possible. Have the talks at the beginning of the shift, after lunch, or after a break.
2 Keep the topic on target
Talk about practices that are meaningful to the current project. If there has been an accident or a near-accident, talk about it. Topics may include machinery, tools, equipment, materials, attitudes, or anything that can lead to a safer job site. Limit the topic to fit into a 10 to 15-minute talk.
3 Keep employees involved
Draw on the experiences of workers trained in the topic. These employees can offer advice on the tasks and risks involved. It also lets workers take an active role in their safety and in creating better safety practices.
4 Keep a record
Even if OSHA standards don’t require records to be kept, document the topic, trainer, date, and workers’ names. Documenting these meetings helps create a safety culture where workers know safe practices are a priority.
Need help with a topic? Check out OSHA’s safety and health topics at:
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/text_index.html.