Free toolbox talks
40 ready-to-read safety talks for construction crews. Each one has the key points to read out, questions to ask, and a sign-in sheet your crew signs on the phone.
Does OSHA require toolbox talks?
Federal OSHA does not require toolbox talks by name, but 29 CFR 1926.21 requires employers to train workers to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions, and a signed toolbox talk record is common proof of that training.
Some states go further: California requires toolbox or tailgate meetings at least every 10 working days (T8 1509), and Washington requires documented crew safety meetings at least weekly (WAC 296-155-110).
Full talks with quiz and real incidents
Ladder SafetyIn September 2023, a construction worker in Brighton, Massachusetts, fell about 27 feet and died while carrying materials and climbing to a ladder jack scaffold.Fall Protection and Harness SafetyIn December 2023, a worker replacing a metal roof on a building in Smyrna, New York, fell 23 feet and died.Silica DustIn 2026, OSHA inspected a Pennsylvania brick plant and found workers breathing silica dust above the legal limit.Heat StressIn July 2023, during a heat wave in Huntsville, Alabama, a concrete finisher was hand forming curbs in direct sun as the heat index neared 107 degrees.Excavation and Trench SafetyIn November 2025, at a worksite in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, backfilled sand collapsed into a trench and trapped two workers.Struck-By HazardsIn October 2023, crews in Orlando, Florida, were installing concrete sound barrier panels along a highway ramp when a crane lifting a 10,700 pound panel tipped after an outrigger gave way.
Working at height
Electrical
Health
Silica Dust14 key points · 5 questionsAsbestos Awareness11 key points · 5 questionsManual Handling and Back Safety9 key points · 4 questionsHearing Protection and Noise8 key points · 4 questionsHand-Arm Vibration13 key points · 5 questionsFatigue Management8 key points · 4 questionsMental Health and Suicide Prevention9 key points · 4 questionsDrugs and Alcohol on Site8 key points · 4 questions
Chemicals and dust
Weather
Site safety
Slips, Trips and Falls9 key points · 4 questionsPPE: Personal Protective Equipment9 key points · 4 questionsHot Works Safety9 key points · 4 questionsExcavation and Trench Safety13 key points · 5 questionsCall 811 Before You Dig12 key points · 5 questionsWorking Near Traffic8 key points · 4 questionsStruck-By Hazards12 key points · 5 questionsConfined Spaces9 key points · 4 questionsNear Miss Reporting8 key points · 4 questions
Plant and machinery
Tools
Emergency
More help
What is a JHA (Job Hazard Analysis)?GuideHow to write a JHA, step by stepGuideFree JHA templateWord and PDFJHA questions answeredSafety terms explainedHeat index calculator for outdoor workFree toolLadder setup calculatorFree toolTrench sloping calculator (OSHA)Free toolWhat changed in 2026Rule changes with sourcesAll United States guidesContact us