This safety talk discusses the importance of pre-planning construction work to prevent accidents. It advises supervisors to talk to workers about identifying and removing hazards before they can cause accidents. The talk stresses that crews should participate in pre-planning by bringing potential hazards to the supervisor's attention and helping to control anything with accident-producing potential. Specifically, crews are encouraged to secure ladders, replace missing guardrails, clear debris, and properly use and store tools and materials.

1. Construction Safety Talks
Pre-Plan Some Things To Know Before You Give Your Talk.
To Prevent As a supervisor, you know the importance of pre-planning for
Accidents safety. Talk to your workers about removing the hazards before
they result in accidents.
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Since hazards are constantly changing on construction sites, we
must be aware of hazards that might be encountered in upcoming
phases. This is similar to inspecting your vehicle before you go on
How This Talk vacation.
Applies To My
Crew: Your crew can take part in the pre-planning process by bringing
hazards to your attention and by helping to control anything with
accident-producing potential.
Identifying a hazard in the work area is only the first step. Tell your
crew that you expect them to tell you of the hazard. This is
especially important if the hazard is caused by another trades'
work and not in your direct control. Once aware of the hazard, you
can eliminate it or establish a control to protect everyone.
Tell the crew that they need to take an active role when they see
the “little” problems. Don’t walk by, fix it. After all, it can affect
everyone.
• secure the ladder they were about to climb
• replace the guardrail laying on the floor
• push debris out of the walkway so no one will slip
• move materials that have been left at the edge of a floor
Stress that sometimes the control factor is as simple as:
• wearing a hard hat or safety glasses
• discarding broken tools
• wearing gloves
• not throwing or dropping materials and tools
Remind the crew to discuss the safety aspects of any new job with
you before they start.
© 2003 Liberty Mutual Group – All Rights Reserved 1

2. Try This For Show And Tell!
Show the crew your job's pre-planning sheet (if you have one). Talk about the safety
aspect of the upcoming work.
Questions You Can Use To Get Them Talking:
• What are the most expected hazards on this job? How can we pre-plan to
prevent them?
• Has anyone ever had an accident - or know of one - that occurred because
someone didn't pre-plan?
Attended By:
The illustrations, instructions and principles contained in the material are general in scope and, to the best of our knowledge, current at
the time of publication. No attempt has been made to interpret any referenced codes, standards or regulations. Please refer to the
appropriate code, standard or regulation making authority for interpretation or clarification.
© 2003 Liberty Mutual Group – All Rights Reserved 2