The toolbox talk emphasizes the importance of using warning signs and barriers in construction to ensure safety during high-risk operations. It highlights that communication is key, but physical barriers are necessary to prevent shortcuts and unauthorized access to dangerous areas. The document underscores the rules of not ignoring signs, avoiding shortcuts, and properly managing barriers during and after activities.

1. Toolbox Talk
June 15 A GDF SUEZ ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY
THINK SAFETY – WORK SAFELY
Warning signs and barriers are used in the construction industry to keep people away from
areas of potential danger, such as:-
Pressure testing operations Excavations
Lifting operations Electrical sub stations
Radiography Restricted areas
If we are involved in carrying out any of these operations, we must ensure that other people
who are working in the same area are warned about the dangers of the activities we are
carrying out.
We do this by communication and using clear warning signs that let
others know exactly what activity is being carried out.
However, warning signs are not always enough; because of human nature people will
always take short cuts.
Consequently, we need to physically stop people entering an area of
danger, by erecting barriers as well as signs.
Some people will see and read these warning signs and see the barrier in place, But for
some reason they will still take a short cut through an area of danger? This is often done
during periods of inactivity.
This means that there are times when we have to physically control the area to stop people
from entering, or give people permission to pass through during times of inactivity if safe to
do so.
So the rules with signs and barriers are;
• We do not ignore warning signs.
• We do not take short cuts through barriers or restricted areas
• When we are carrying out high risk activities we must erect signs and barriers and
most importantly, remove them when finished or in periods of inactivity.