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Toolbox talks library
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100 safety topics for daily toolbox talks

A construction-first topic list for a daily talk program: 10 categories, 10 topics each, matched to the season and the standards that drive citations. The whole list is on this page; request the free PDF pack by email and get immediate access here. A sign-in sheet is included.

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Browse the 100 topics

Last reviewed by Ben SleemanCredentialed safety reviewerFull topic list available without email

How to run it as a daily program

Match the week

Pick the category that fits the work in front of the crew — trenching week gets excavation topics, not a generic calendar.

Five minutes, one question

Read the topic, tie it to today’s task, ask one discussion question. Short and daily beats long and monthly.

Make it a record

Capture the topic, presenter, and signatures. The pack’s sign-in sheet — or a QR scan in SALUS — turns the talk into proof.

The 100 topics

Ten categories, ten topics each

Topics with an arrow link to a complete talk in the library — read-aloud script, incident example, crew quiz, and a bilingual PDF. The rest are next in the writing queue.

01

Falls & working at height

  1. 1Fall protection basics: the 6-foot trigger
  2. 2Harness fit and pre-use inspection
  3. 3Anchor points: approved vs. convenient
  4. 4Leading edges and warning lines
  5. 5Floor and roof openings: covers that hold
  6. 6Scaffolding: inspection before every shift
  7. 7Aerial and scissor lifts
  8. 8Suspended-worker rescue planning
  9. 9Skylights and fragile surfaces
  10. 10Working over water or equipment below
02

Ladders & access

  1. 11Ladder inspection and tag-out
  2. 12The 4-to-1 rule and 3-foot extension
  3. 13Three points of contact
  4. 14Choosing lift or scaffold over ladder
  5. 15Stepladders: spreaders locked, top steps off-limits
  6. 16Job-made ladders and stair towers
  7. 17Carrying tools while climbing
  8. 18Ladder setup on uneven or soft ground
  9. 19Securing ladders at the top
  10. 20Stairways: housekeeping and handrails
03

Heat, cold & weather

  1. 21Heat stress: water, rest, shade
  2. 22Acclimatization for new and returning workers
  3. 23Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion: the response
  4. 24Sun exposure and UV protection
  5. 25Cold stress and layering
  6. 26Winter driving to and between sites
  7. 27High wind: hoisting, sheathing, and debris
  8. 28Lightning: when to stop and where to go
  9. 29Rain: slick surfaces and trench water
  10. 30Ice and snow on walking surfaces
04

Electrical

  1. 31GFCI protection on temporary power
  2. 32Extension cord inspection and routing
  3. 33Overhead power line clearances
  4. 34Underground utilities: locate before you dig
  5. 35Lockout/tagout basics for construction
  6. 36Damaged tools and cords: out of service
  7. 37Working near energized panels
  8. 38Portable generators: grounding and CO
  9. 39Temporary lighting circuits
  10. 40Wet locations and electrical work
05

Excavation & underground

  1. 41Trench protective systems: the 5-foot trigger
  2. 42Competent person inspections
  3. 43Spoil piles and edge loading
  4. 44Safe access and egress in trenches
  5. 45Water accumulation and reassessment
  6. 46Utility strikes: gas, electric, fiber
  7. 47Adjacent structures and undermining
  8. 48Soil classification in plain language
  9. 49Equipment near the edge
  10. 50Confined spaces in underground work
06

Equipment & struck-by

  1. 51Struck-by prevention: separation first
  2. 52Blind spots and backing zones
  3. 53Spotter signals and positioning
  4. 54Swing radius exclusion zones
  5. 55Seat belts and rollover protection
  6. 56Crane loads: never under a suspended load
  7. 57Rigging inspection basics
  8. 58Forklift and telehandler traffic
  9. 59Dropped objects: securing tools at height
  10. 60Public and vehicle traffic control
07

Health & exposures

  1. 61Silica dust: control before you cut
  2. 62Hearing protection and noise zones
  3. 63Hand-arm vibration
  4. 64Welding fumes and ventilation
  5. 65Asbestos and lead in renovation work
  6. 66Hazard communication: labels and SDS
  7. 67Carbon monoxide from engines and heaters
  8. 68Fatigue and long shifts
  9. 69Mental health and suicide prevention in construction
  10. 70Opioids and impairment awareness
08

PPE

  1. 71Eye and face protection by task
  2. 72Hard hats: condition, fit, and replacement
  3. 73High-visibility clothing
  4. 74Gloves: matching the glove to the hazard
  5. 75Foot protection and puncture hazards
  6. 76Respirators: seal checks and storage
  7. 77Hearing protection: when and which
  8. 78PPE in hot weather
  9. 79Caring for and inspecting PPE
  10. 80The last quick task without PPE
09

Housekeeping & fire

  1. 81Housekeeping: paths, storage, debris
  2. 82Slips, trips, and same-level falls
  3. 83Material stacking and storage
  4. 84Fire extinguishers: type and use
  5. 85Hot work permits and fire watch
  6. 86Flammable liquids and fuel storage
  7. 87Compressed gas cylinders
  8. 88Waste and dumpster areas
  9. 89Emergency exits and muster points
  10. 90End-of-shift shutdown walk
10

Planning, tools & first aid

  1. 91Hand and power tool inspection
  2. 92Pre-task planning: JHA in five minutes
  3. 93Stop-work authority: everyone has it
  4. 94New worker orientation and buddying
  5. 95Near-miss reporting: why it matters
  6. 96First aid: kits, trained people, addresses
  7. 97Incident response: the first 10 minutes
  8. 98Working alone and check-in procedures
  9. 99Site security and visitors
  10. 100Communication across languages on the crew

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FAQ

Common questions.

Are these 100 safety topics free to download?
Yes. The full 100-topic list stays available on this page. Enter your email for the packaged printable PDF and get immediate download access here.
How do I use 100 topics as a daily program?
Pick the category that matches the week’s work, then run one topic per day at the start of shift. A five-minute talk with one discussion question beats a long meeting — the goal is a daily habit tied to the hazards actually on site.
Do daily toolbox talks need to be documented?
Federal OSHA sets no general documentation rule for toolbox talks, but state rules (California, Washington, Oregon), GC contracts, and prequalification reviews usually expect signed records. The pack includes a sign-in sheet.
Are full talks available for these topics?
A growing set of topics links to a complete bilingual talk — script, incident example, quiz, and PDF. New talks are added weekly.
In SALUS

A topic a day, a record every day

Rosie generates the day’s talk from your site’s forms, weather, and hazards; the crew signs by QR; concerns become corrective actions. The topic list becomes a program that proves itself.

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