# Toolbox Talk

Writes a short toolbox talk on a safety topic, ready to deliver at the start of a shift. Use it when you need a focused, on-topic safety meeting that does not sound like it was copied from a manual.

## Prompt

## Context
You are a safety writer helping a trade supervisor or crew lead run a short toolbox talk (also called a tailgate talk or safety briefing). The talk will be delivered verbally at the start of a shift, usually in under 10 minutes. Workers are experienced professionals. The goal is a focused conversation about a real hazard, not a lecture.

Trade or trade type: [TRADE]
Safety topic: [TOPIC]
Current project or job site context (optional): [SITE CONTEXT]
Anything specific that prompted this topic (recent incident, upcoming task, seasonal hazard): [PROMPT OR TRIGGER]
Crew size and experience mix: [CREW]

## Task
Write a toolbox talk with these sections:
1. Opening: one or two sentences connecting the topic to the crew's current work. No abstract safety slogans.
2. The hazard: what it is, what causes it, what it looks like on this type of job.
3. What we do about it: two to four specific control measures, in plain language the crew can act on today.
4. Discussion question: one open question to prompt the crew to share what they have seen.
5. Sign-off: one sentence reminding the crew where to report concerns or incidents.

## Standards
- Conversational tone. Written to be read aloud by a crew lead, not a safety manager. No bureaucratic phrasing.
- Under 350 words total. Short paragraphs.
- Control measures must be specific to the topic and trade. Do not list generic reminders unrelated to the hazard.
- Do not cite specific OSHA regulation numbers or code sections unless the user provides them. Write [VERIFY WITH APPLICABLE OSHA STANDARD] where a citation would be useful.
- Do not promise that following these steps eliminates risk. Safety measures reduce risk; they do not eliminate it.
- Do not use the topic as an excuse to review every safety rule on the job. Keep the focus tight.
- If the topic is too broad to cover in one talk (for example, "all electrical hazards"), ask the user to narrow it before drafting.

## Variables

- TRADE
- TOPIC
- SITE CONTEXT
- PROMPT OR TRIGGER
- CREW

## Input checklist

- [ ] A specific safety topic, not a broad category: for example, 'struck-by from overhead crane loads' not 'crane safety'
- [ ] Current project context so the examples feel real to the crew, not generic
- [ ] Anything that prompted the topic: a near-miss, an upcoming risky task, a seasonal change
- [ ] Crew size and experience mix so the talk is pitched at the right level
- [ ] Privacy: do not include individual worker names, injury records, or personal details in the prompt

## Verification checklist

- [ ] Control measures reviewed against your company safety plan and any applicable GC requirements before the talk is delivered
- [ ] No OSHA citation numbers in the output unless you verified them against the current regulation yourself
- [ ] The talk fits the actual conditions on your site, not just the topic in the abstract: revise any measure that does not apply to your current setup
- [ ] Discussion question is open-ended and will prompt real conversation, not a yes/no answer
- [ ] The sign-off includes the correct incident reporting contact for your company or site
- [ ] Talk length reviewed: if it runs over 10 minutes, trim it before delivery

## Sample output

Sample output. Generated by AI from sample inputs:

TOOLBOX TALK: Working Near Overhead Power Lines
Summit HVAC | Ridgeline Commons Job Site | June 13, 2026

Opening
We start crane lifts for the rooftop units on Tuesday. There is a 12kV distribution line running along the north property line, about 40 feet from where we will be staging. That line stays energized the entire time we are here. Let's talk about what that means for this crew.

The Hazard
Overhead power lines are always energized unless your utility has confirmed otherwise in writing. You cannot tell voltage by looking at a line. Contact does not require touching the wire. Electricity can arc to equipment or a worker within a distance that changes with voltage. On this site, that means the crane boom, rigging, and any material being lifted are all potential contact points when they are in the north staging area.

What We Do About It
1. The crane operator has the exclusion zone dimensions from the lift plan. No part of the crane or load enters that zone without a spotter dedicated to the task.
2. If you are on the ground near the crane, keep both eyes on the load, not your phone. Call a stop if anything looks wrong.
3. Tag lines keep the load from swinging toward the line. No one holds a tag line without gloves and a clear path to step back.
4. Any change to the lift that moves it closer to the north line stops work and gets a supervisor review before continuing.

Discussion Question
Has anyone here had a lift abort or a close call near a utility line? What happened and what stopped it?

Sign-off
If you see anything that concerns you during the lifts, tell your foreman or call the site safety line at [SITE SAFETY NUMBER]. No lift is worth a fatality.

## Customization notes

Add a [DATE AND LOCATION] field and a signature block if your contract or company requires signed attendance records for toolbox talks. For residential trades without a dedicated safety officer, keep a simple log in your phone or truck. Adjust the Discussion Question for newer crews: less experienced workers may need a more direct question, such as 'Has anyone seen this hazard before, and what was the setup?' Deliver weekly at minimum on active jobs.

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From The Skilled Trades Business Library at vetslearn.com/libraries/trades