Identify the Topic
The more specific the training topic is to what is happening on the project, the more effective the training will be. Talking about trenching and excavation when your project is finished may not be the most engaging way to spend your Monday morning.
- Topics should be specific to your project
- Activities that are coming up on the schedule
- Activities described in the scope of work
- Equipment and/or tools that will be used
- Job-specific training requirements
- At-risk or non-compliance issues discovered during inspections
- Accident and Incident trends
Topics from the Scope of Work
I have seen scope written in many ways by many different contractors in my career. All typically communicate the same thing, what is in the box and what is not. Looking at figure 1, we can see that our scope of work includes slab on grade, providing stone sub-base & vapor barrier, and grading. From this, we know that we will have heavy machinery onsite, frequent materials deliveries, and hazards related to concrete work. Appropriate weekly training topics include crushing equipment, inspections, silica, or concrete burns.
Topics from the Schedule
Most contractors maintain some form of a look-ahead schedule. For those that do not, a master schedule will work. The tasks that are scheduled to start make tremendous topics. Looking at image two below, you will see that mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) rough-in and doors and hardware are scheduled to start around the same time. A common hazard that all the trades would face is manual material handling. Strains and sprains, back injury prevention, proper lifting techniques, and general manual material handling would be appropriate for project-wide weekly safety meeting topics.
Image 2. Typical Construction Schedule
Safety Data Sheet Review
A best practice is to review one Safety Data Sheet (SDS) each week for a material used regularly, or you will use that for an upcoming task. You do not necessarily need to review the entire SDS. The important things to review are where the SDS Binder is located, Sections – 2, 4, 7, and 8 on the SDS. A brief discussion of emergency procedures is also a good idea at this time.
Where to get your topics.
You can download relevant topics from the web, write the talks yourself (see the format included at the end of this document) or buy them from outside sources. For a list of free toolbox topics, check out my post, SAFETY TOPIC RESOURCES.
