Delegates at the annual Safety Seminar of the UK-based International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) earlier this year concluded that "toolbox talks" were valuable, leading to the publication of an information note aimed at raising awareness of the importance of toolbox talks, and to stimulate further discussion and to assist members in making further improvements to their safety performance.
"I cannot speak too highly about the importance of toolbox talks," said Hugh Williams, IMCA's Chief Executive. "They really are a mainstay of safe delivery in the offshore industry."
The information note looks at delegates' feedback on when toolbox talks should take place; who should lead them; who should attend; what should be discussed; what are the required outcomes; and how should they be recorded or logged.
"The issue that led to the most feedback and the most varied responses was, 'What should be discussed at toolbox talks'," explained Mr Williams.
"Unsurprisingly, easily half of the feedback received was that the primary subject of discussion should be the task, job or activity itself. Other significant feedback suggested discussion of roles and responsibilities, hazards, risks, risk control and mitigation, and risk assessment/ job safety analysis. Members believed that toolbox talks should be kept short and simple and held in a place where everyone can
hear clearly."
"This is such an important topic that our SEL (safety, environment and legislation) committee is now looking at the development of a DVD on toolbox talks with a script loosely based on the summary of these discussions," Mr Williams continued.
He said that the DVD would be used at the IMCA's "Safety is our common language" seminar in February 2010.
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