Construction Site Safety Meeting

¶ … Safety Meeting

Conducting an informative safety meeting can seem like a large task. The purpose of a safety meeting is to effectively convey safety information to employees. Effective communication of safety guidelines and rules can help to reduce the chance of injury on the jobsite. Safety meetings are most often conducted by supervisors, the foreman, or even the company owner. Like everything else, if you follow a plan it can be done with minimal stress. Here is a detailed, step-by-step plan for conducting an informative safety meeting, using a construction company as an example.

The first step in the process is choosing a place to hold the safety meeting. You will want to choose a comfortable area, so the employees can focus their full attention on you and the information you are conveying. It can be hard to focus if an area is too hot or cold, or if there is a lot of background noise. Also, consider the information to be presented. A source of electricity will be needed to demonstrate proper use of electric tools.

Once you have chosen where to hold the safety meeting, your next step is to gather, prepare, and setup all necessary tools and equipment needed for the safety meeting. You will want a prepared list of the company's standard safety guidelines. The company may have safety handbooks ready to distribute, but if not you will need to prepare this yourself. Simply make a list of the safety guidelines employees need to be aware of. This can be done on a computer, or even by hand. Make sure to use clear, concise phrasing and fully explain any specific terms. You will need enough copies of the safety guidelines to distribute one set to each employee at the meeting, and having a few extras is recommended. Besides the list of safety guidelines, you will need to gather any safety gear specified in the safety guidelines. On a construction site these can be items such as hardhats, safety lines, and safety goggles. Also, you will need to gather and setup for demonstration any tools used that can be hazardous to safety, such as a nail gun, electric saws, and a hammer. When setting up the tools, make sure they are placed in the room so that all employees can clearly see the demonstration. Do not forget props you will need to aid in the demonstration. Have a ready supply of scrap wood and nails. Other materials needed to successfully conduct a safety meeting are paper and writing implements. Notebook paper and pens or pencils are suitable. You may want to have a broom and dustpan on hand to clean up any sawdust from the demonstrations, and make sure there is a wastepaper basket for discarded paper.

Now that everything is setup and prepared, the next step is to assemble all employees in the area to be used for the meeting and distribute a copy of the prepared safety guidelines and paper and writing implement to each employee present. Distribution of items can be done as employees enter the area, or after everyone has been seated. It is important that everyone receives a copy of the safety guidelines to be sure each employee has been made aware of them. The paper and pen or pencil is equally important. This will enable the employees to write down any questions or concerns about the topics presented so that they are not forgotten.

You should start the meeting by introducing yourself. Give your name and position within the company. Briefly list the topics that will be presented and give a time frame for the meeting. This will allow the employees to better follow the meeting and let them know how long it is expected to take. That way they are listening to you instead of looking at the clock, wondering when it will be over. Ask employees to please hold and write down any questions they may have until after the presentation.

The next step in the process is to discuss the topics and perform the safety demonstrations. Start by going over and explaining each of the safety guidelines on your prepared list. Make sure not to miss any and to explain any specific terms all employees may not be aware of. Next, present the safety gear discussed in the safety guidelines. Discuss the purpose and function of each item, proper use and wear of the item, and instances when these items should be used. Do the same for the tools to be demonstrated, discussing the purpose, function, and proper use before actually physically using the tool. Make sure to explain the safety procedures used step-by-step while physically manipulating the tool. Also, wear appropriate protective gear when operating the tools. These actions will allow the employees to see the safe way to operate the tools and understand why safety precautions are necessary.

When you have finished presenting all topics, open the floor for questions and discussions. Make sure to answer all questions and address all concerns. Repeat demonstrations of proper use of the safety gear and/or tools if requested. Remember, accidents happen when people are unsure of what they are doing. You want to make sure each employee present clearly understands the topics presented. If there are any questions or issues that you cannot resolve at the time, record them on your own paper to be dealt with at a later time.

When all questions have been answered and all concerns met with acceptable solutions, it is time to end the meeting. Conduct a brief review of the information presented. Make sure to double check that each employee has their own list of safety guidelines to take with them. Also, make sure to do a last call for questions. You do not want anyone to walk out of the meeting still unsure of any safety procedures. When you are satisfied that everyone has clearly understood the information presented, that there are no more questions, and that everyone is taking a copy of the standard safety guidelines with them, it is time to dismiss the meeting.