Summer on an Aussie job site brings its own set of hazards: heat, storms, snakes, and the mad rush to get jobs finished before Christmas. A quick toolbox talk at the start of the day is one of the easiest ways to keep your crew switched on. Here are 12 summer toolbox talk topics you can run this week. Each has a few talking points and one question to get the crew talking, because the best toolbox talks are conversations, not lectures.
Heat and sun
1. Working in the heat
- There’s no set temperature where work legally has to stop, but the business must manage the risk of heat stress.
- Plan the heavy work for the cooler part of the day, and rotate jobs in the sun.
- Drink water little and often, before you feel thirsty.
- Know the warning signs: headache, dizziness, nausea, cramps, heavy sweating. Confusion or collapse means heat stroke. Call 000.
Ask the crew: Where do we get shade and cool water on this site, and who’s keeping an eye on the new starters?
2. Sun protection
- When the UV index is 3 or above, protect your skin: slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat or brim, seek shade, slide on sunnies.
- Reapply sunscreen during the day, especially if you’re sweating.
Ask the crew: Has everyone got long sleeves and a brim for the hard hat today?
3. Hot surfaces and tools
- Metal roofs, steel, tools and materials left in the sun can burn.
- Wear gloves, store tools in the shade, and take care getting on and off hot roofs.
Ask the crew: What on this site gets hot enough to burn, and how are we handling it?
Storm season
4. Storms, lightning and wind
- Check the forecast before you start, and again at lunch.
- When thunder roars, get off roofs, scaffolds, EWPs and cranes and get under cover.
- High winds: secure sheeting, materials and bins, and stick to the wind limits for cranes and EWPs.
Ask the crew: Who’s calling it when the weather turns, and where do we shelter?
5. After the storm
- Inspect scaffolds, edge protection, fencing and excavations before anyone goes back to work.
- Watch for slippery surfaces, mud, flooded trenches and damaged power leads.
- Never work in or near floodwater.
Ask the crew: What needs checking before we restart after a storm?
6. Snakes
- Snakes are more active in warmer weather, especially around long grass, rubble and stacked materials.
- Leave them alone and keep the crew clear. Don’t try to catch or kill one.
- For a bite: keep the person still, apply a pressure immobilisation bandage and call 000.
Ask the crew: Who has the snake bite bandages, and where’s the first aid kit?
The Christmas rush
7. Rushing and shortcuts
- The weeks before Christmas are when shortcuts happen and people get hurt.
- If the job changes or you’re running out of time, stop and review the SWMS. Don’t skip the controls.
Ask the crew: What corners are we tempted to cut to get this job finished, and what will we do instead?
8. Fatigue and long days
- Long hours in the heat add up. Tired workers make mistakes.
- Take proper breaks, and speak up if you or a mate is running on empty.
Ask the crew: How are we getting proper breaks in this week?
9. New starters and summer casuals
- School leavers and casuals often join over summer, and they don’t know what they don’t know.
- Give them a proper site induction, pair them with an experienced worker, and check they understand the SWMS.
Ask the crew: Who’s looking after our new people today?
10. Securing the site for the Christmas shutdown
- Lock and fence the site, and put up signs.
- Remove or block ladders and scaffold access, and isolate power where you can.
- Cover or fence excavations and anything that could collect water. Empty sites over the holidays are magnets for curious kids.
- Secure materials and plant so they can’t be stolen or blown around.
Ask the crew: What’s on our shutdown checklist, and who’s signing it off?
Looking after each other
11. Mental health over the holidays
- Christmas isn’t a happy time for everyone. Money worries, family stress and the end-of-year pressure all build up.
- Check in on your mates. A simple “how are you going, really?” goes a long way.
- Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14.
Ask the crew: If someone on the crew was struggling, how would we know, and what would we do?
12. Driving and holiday travel
- Lots of tradies drive long distances between jobs and home for the holidays.
- Plan rest stops, don’t drive tired, and keep vehicle and trailer loads secured.
Ask the crew: Who’s got a long drive coming up, and what’s the plan?
How to run a good toolbox talk
- Keep it short: 5 to 10 minutes at the start of the day.
- Pick one topic and make it about this site.
- Ask questions and let the crew talk. They often know the hazards better than anyone.
- Record it: the date, topic, who attended and any actions. If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen.
- Follow up on the actions, and update your SWMS if the talk turns up something new. See Do I need a SWMS for every job?
In the Projects One app, you can record a toolbox talk on your phone in a couple of minutes, with the crew signing on the spot, and it’s stored with the job. Not sure what your business needs over summer? Give us a call. You’ll talk to a real person.
Stay safe this summer, from the Projects One Safety Online team.
