OSHA Requirements for Weekly Safety Meetings

Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Employee safety should always be a priority for business owners, and that means fostering a safety culture throughout the year. Weekly safety meetings are a great way to curb risk on a job site and ensure employees are prepared to handle an unsafe situation at any time.

At the federal level, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not require weekly-safety meetings. Even those the meetings are not required, they should be a regular part of an employer’s safety program in order to reduce risk.[BK1] 

Some states do have requirements for regular safety meetings, however. For example, Cal/OSHA requires a safety meeting at least every 10 working days. Employers should check with their state’s OSHA program for a list of requirements for each of the states where they operate, in order to stay compliant.

For employers, weekly safety meetings serve as an opportunity to check in with employees, mitigate hazards, and protect the business. For employees, they are a chance to ask pressing safety questions, learn important safety techniques, and serve as a reminder of proper procedures on the job site.

Here’s how to run an effective safety meeting:

1. Make the meeting easy to attend for all employees.

Host the meeting on the job site, at the start of a shift or after a break to increase attendance.

2. Research and choose a topic relevant to your industry.

Rancho Mesa’s SafetyOne™ platform hosts an extensive list of industry-specific topics for landscapers, tree care-professionals, drivers, construction, and general industry workers. For a total of 788 toolbox talk topics to choose from.

If a recent incident or near-miss has occurred on the jobsite, it is a good idea to use toolbox talks to re-enforce safety guidelines, or they can be used as general safety reminders.

3. Make sure the solutions or tips provided are practical and applicable to the jobsite.

Demonstrate proper use of equipment or PPE and safe work practices outlined in the toolbox talk.

Allow employees to share personal experiences as they have likely encountered the hazards or circumstances addressed in toolbox talks.

4. Ask follow-up questions to keep employees engaged.

Most toolbox talks on the SafetyOne platform include questions that can be asked during or after the meeting. These questions reinforce learning and encourage employee participation.

5. Keep the meeting short.

SafetyOne toolbox talks are designed to be covered in an average of 10-15 minutes. Shorter meetings help keep employees engaged and don’t take away valuable work time.

For assistance in accessing Rancho Mesa’s toolbox talk library, contact your client technology team member.