At a glance
- 100 topics in 10 groups, two or three points each.
- 54 topics link to one of the 43 full toolbox talks; 17 are subjects no specific OSHA standard covers.
- Every rule cites its paragraph, read in the eCFR on Oct 20, 2026, and says whether it applies in general industry or in construction.
- Federal OSHA sets no frequency for toolbox talks, though California and Washington State Plans set one for construction crews.
Which groups does the list cover?
Falls, ladders and access
1. Fall protection at 6 feet
- In construction, an unprotected side or edge 6 feet or more above a lower level calls for a guardrail, a safety net or a personal fall arrest system (29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1)).
- Plan the protection before the work starts, not at the edge.
29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
2. Harness and lanyard inspection
- Personal fall arrest systems are inspected before each use for wear, damage and other deterioration (29 CFR 1926.502(d)(21)).
- Defective components come out of service right away.
- Check webbing, stitching, D-rings, buckles and snap hooks, and the deployment indicator on the lanyard.
29 CFR 1926.502(d)(21) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
3. Free fall distance
- A personal fall arrest system is rigged so the worker can neither free fall more than 6 feet nor contact any lower level (29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16)(iii)).
- Count the lanyard, the deceleration distance and the worker's height before you pick an anchor.
29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16)(iii) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
4. Anchorages
- An anchorage for personal fall arrest supports at least 5,000 pounds per employee attached, or is designed as part of a complete system with a safety factor of at least two under a qualified person's supervision (29 CFR 1926.502(d)(15)).
- It stays independent of any anchorage used to support or suspend platforms.
29 CFR 1926.502(d)(15)
5. Rescue after a fall
- The employer provides for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall, or makes sure they can rescue themselves (29 CFR 1926.502(d)(20)).
- Decide who brings the person down, with what equipment, before anyone ties off.
29 CFR 1926.502(d)(20)
6. Guardrails
- In construction, the top edge of a guardrail sits 42 inches above the walking or working level, plus or minus 3 inches (29 CFR 1926.502(b)(1)).
- Report a guardrail that is loose, cut or removed, and do not lean on a temporary rail you have not checked.
29 CFR 1926.502(b)(1)
7. Floor holes and covers
- In construction, employees are protected from falling through holes, skylights included, more than 6 feet above lower levels, by personal fall arrest, covers or guardrails (29 CFR 1926.501(b)(4)(i)).
- Covers are secured against displacement by wind, equipment or employees (29 CFR 1926.502(i)(3)), and color coded or marked HOLE or COVER (29 CFR 1926.502(i)(4)).
29 CFR 1926.501(b)(4)(i), 1926.502(i)(3) and (i)(4)
8. Fall protection training
- In construction, the employer provides a training program for each employee who might be exposed to fall hazards (29 CFR 1926.503(a)(1)).
- A written certification record names the employee, the training dates and the signature of the trainer or the employer (29 CFR 1926.503(b)(1)).
29 CFR 1926.503(a)(1) and (b)(1)
9. Ladder safety
- When a portable ladder gives access to an upper landing, its side rails extend at least 3 feet above it, or, where it is too short, it is secured at the top to a rigid support and a grasping device such as a grab rail is provided (29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1)).
- Face the ladder, keep three points of contact and carry tools in a belt or on a line.
29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
10. Ladder inspection
- In construction, a competent person inspects ladders for visible defects on a periodic basis and after any occurrence that could affect their safe use (29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(15)).
- A defective ladder is marked or tagged "Do Not Use" and withdrawn from service until repaired (29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(16)).
29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(15) and (b)(16) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
11. Stairways
- In construction, employees who use ladders and stairways get training, as necessary, to recognize the hazards and the procedures that minimize them (29 CFR 1926.1060(a)).
- Keep temporary stairs clear of material, and use the handrail with one hand free.
29 CFR 1926.1060(a)
12. Aerial lifts
- In construction, aerial lift controls are tested each day before use (29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)(i)), and only authorized persons operate the lift (29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)(ii)).
- Stand firmly on the basket floor; do not sit or climb on the edge or use planks or ladders for a work position (29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)(iv)).
- Do not belt off to an adjacent pole, structure or equipment from the lift (29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)(iii)).
29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)
13. Slips, trips and falls
- In general industry, walking-working surfaces are kept free of hazards such as spills, snow and ice (29 CFR 1910.22(a)(3)).
- In construction, debris is kept cleared from work areas, passageways and stairs (29 CFR 1926.25(a)).
29 CFR 1910.22(a), 1926.25(a) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
14. Dropped objects
- In construction, each employee exposed to falling objects wears a hard hat, and the employer uses toeboards, screens or guardrails, a canopy, or a barricaded area (29 CFR 1926.501(c)).
- Tether tools at height and keep material back from edges.
29 CFR 1926.501(c), 1910.28(c) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
15. Housekeeping
- In construction, form and scrap lumber with protruding nails and all other debris are kept cleared from work areas, passageways and stairs (29 CFR 1926.25(a)).
- Clean as you go; a cluttered site is where trips and puncture wounds start.
29 CFR 1926.25(a) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
Scaffolds, trenches and concrete
16. Scaffold inspection
- A competent person inspects scaffolds and scaffold components for visible defects before each work shift and after any occurrence that could affect structural integrity (29 CFR 1926.451(f)(3)).
- Use the access the scaffold was built with, never the cross braces.
29 CFR 1926.451(f)(3) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
17. Trench protective systems
- Each employee in an excavation is protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system, unless the excavation is entirely in stable rock, or less than 5 feet deep and a competent person's examination shows no indication of a potential cave-in (29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1)).
- Sloping, benching, shoring and shields are the usual systems; the competent person decides which fits.
29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
18. Trench access and egress
- In trenches 4 feet or more deep, a stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress requires no more than 25 feet of lateral travel for employees (29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2)).
- Move the ladder as the crew moves along the trench.
29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
19. Daily trench inspection
- A competent person inspects excavations, adjacent areas and protective systems daily, before work starts and as needed through the shift (29 CFR 1926.651(k)(1)).
- Rain, freezing, thawing and vibration are reasons to look again.
29 CFR 1926.651(k)(1) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
20. Utility locates
- The estimated location of underground utility installations is determined before an excavation is opened (29 CFR 1926.651(b)(1)).
- Call 811 before you dig, and hand dig near the marks.
29 CFR 1926.651(b)(1)
21. Rebar impalement
- In construction, protruding reinforcing steel onto and into which employees could fall is guarded to eliminate the hazard of impalement (29 CFR 1926.701(b)).
- Check that caps or troughs are rated for impalement protection, not only for scratches.
29 CFR 1926.701(b)
22. Formwork and shoring
- Formwork is designed, fabricated, erected, supported, braced and maintained to support all vertical and lateral loads that may reasonably be anticipated (29 CFR 1926.703(a)(1)).
- Drawings or plans for the jack layout, formwork, shoring, working decks and scaffolds are available at the jobsite (29 CFR 1926.703(a)(2)).
29 CFR 1926.703(a)(1) and (a)(2)
23. Stripping forms
- Forms and shores, except those for slabs on grade and slip forms, stay in place until the employer determines that the concrete has gained sufficient strength to support its weight and superimposed loads (29 CFR 1926.703(e)(1)).
- Ask before you strip; the decision is not made by eye.
29 CFR 1926.703(e)(1)
24. Confined spaces
- Know which spaces on the site are permit spaces before anyone climbs in.
- Test the air before entry and keep an attendant outside the whole time.
29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA; general industry 29 CFR 1910.146 · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
Electrical
25. Electrical safety
- In construction, nobody works close enough to contact an electric power circuit unless it is deenergized and grounded, or guarded by effective insulation or other means (29 CFR 1926.416(a)(1)).
- Treat every conductor as live until it is locked out and tested.
29 CFR 1926.416(a)(1) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
26. GFCI protection
- In construction, employees are protected by ground fault circuit interrupters or by an assured equipment grounding conductor program (29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)(i)).
- Test the GFCI with its button before you plug in, and do not use a tool on a tripped circuit until you know why it tripped.
29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)
27. Extension cords
- In construction, extension cord sets used with portable tools are three-wire and designed for hard or extra-hard usage (29 CFR 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(J)).
- Worn or frayed cords are not used (29 CFR 1926.416(e)(1)).
- Keep cords out of water and out of doorways where they get pinched.
29 CFR 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(J), 1926.416(e)(1)
28. Overhead power lines
- Look up before you raise a ladder, a boom or a dump bed.
- Keep everything you carry or operate well away from the lines, and call the utility when the work has to come close.
29 CFR 1926.416(a)(1)
29. Clear space at electrical panels
- In general industry, sufficient access and working space is provided and maintained about electric equipment for ready and safe operation and maintenance (29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)).
- Nothing gets stored in front of a panel, even for a day.
29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)
30. Lockout/tagout
- In general industry, energy control procedures are developed and used for the servicing and maintenance the rule covers, and documented unless the machine meets every condition of the rule's exception (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i)).
- Your lock, your key: nobody removes another worker's lock.
Construction 29 CFR 1926.417; general industry 29 CFR 1910.147 · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
Tools and machines
31. Hand and power tools
- In construction, power tools designed to accommodate guards are equipped with those guards when in use (29 CFR 1926.300(b)(1)).
- Unplug the tool or remove the battery before changing a blade or a bit.
29 CFR 1926.300(b)(1) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
32. Machine guarding
- In general industry, one or more methods of machine guarding protect operators and others from point of operation, nip point and rotating part hazards (29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1)).
- A missing guard means the machine does not run.
29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1), 1926.300(b)(2) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
33. Pinch points
- Keep hands out of the gap between a moving part and a fixed one.
- Set loads down on blocking so fingers come out before the weight does.
29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1), 1926.300(b)(2) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
34. Powder-actuated tools
- In construction, only employees trained in the operation of the particular tool in use operate a powder-actuated tool (29 CFR 1926.302(e)(1)).
- Check what is behind the work surface before you fire.
29 CFR 1926.302(e)(1)
35. Nail guns
- In construction, pneumatic nailers and staplers with automatic fastener feed that operate at more than 100 psi at the tool have a safety device on the muzzle (29 CFR 1926.302(b)(3)).
- Keep your free hand away from the nailing point, and disconnect the air before clearing a jam.
29 CFR 1926.302(b)(3)
36. Air hoses
- In construction, hoses over 1/2-inch inside diameter have a safety device at the source of supply or branch line to reduce pressure if the hose fails (29 CFR 1926.302(b)(7)).
- Use whip checks on connections and never point an air hose at anyone.
29 CFR 1926.302(b)(7)
37. Compressed air for cleaning
- In construction, compressed air is used for cleaning only when reduced below 30 psi, with effective chip guarding and protective equipment, except for concrete form, mill scale and similar cleaning (29 CFR 1926.302(b)(4)).
- Never blow dust off your clothes or skin with it.
29 CFR 1926.302(b)(4)
38. Grinders
- In construction, grinding machines are equipped with safety guards (29 CFR 1926.303(b)(1)).
- Check the wheel's speed rating against the grinder, and stand to the side when you start it.
29 CFR 1926.303(b)(1)
39. Caught-in and caught-between
- Trenches, rotating parts and equipment swing areas are where people get caught.
- Stay out of the space between moving equipment and anything fixed.
29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1), 1926.300(b)(2) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
Cranes, rigging and vehicles
40. Crane inspection each shift
- In construction, a competent person begins a visual inspection before each shift the crane will be used, completed before or during that shift (29 CFR 1926.1412(d)(1)).
- Anything that looks wrong goes to the competent person before the lift.
29 CFR 1926.1412(d)(1) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
41. Rigging inspection
- In construction, rigging equipment is inspected before use on each shift and as necessary during use, and defective rigging is removed from service (29 CFR 1926.251(a)(1)).
- Check slings for cuts, kinks, broken wires and missing tags.
29 CFR 1926.251(a)(1) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
42. Line of fire
- Before each task, ask where the load, the line or the machine goes if it lets go, and stand somewhere else.
- Never walk under a suspended load.
29 CFR 1926.1424(a)(2), 1910.212(a)(1), 1926.601(b)(4) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
43. Overhead cranes
- In general industry, overhead crane items listed in the rule get frequent inspections, including observation during operation (29 CFR 1910.179(j)(2)).
- Never lift over people, and keep the load low while traveling.
29 CFR 1910.179(j)(2)
44. Forklifts
- No one operates a forklift, except for training, until the employer has made sure they successfully completed the operator training (29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(ii)).
- In general industry, the truck is examined before it goes into service, at least daily or after each shift when it runs around the clock (29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7)).
29 CFR 1910.178(l); construction 1926.602(d) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
45. Backing vehicles and spotters
- On a construction jobsite closed to public traffic, a motor vehicle with an obstructed rear view backs up only with an audible reverse alarm or when an observer signals that it is safe (29 CFR 1926.601(b)(4)).
- If the driver loses sight of the spotter, the vehicle stops.
29 CFR 1926.601(b)(4), 1926.602(a)(9)(ii) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
46. Struck-by hazards
- Wear high-visibility clothing near traffic and moving equipment.
- Make eye contact with operators before you walk into their path.
29 CFR 1926.100(a), 1926.601(b)(4) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
47. Distracted driving
- NIOSH recommends banning all phone use while driving a company vehicle, hands-free included.
- Pull over somewhere safe to call, text or set directions.
No specific OSHA standard · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
Chemicals, dust and noise
48. Hazard communication
- Employers develop, implement and maintain a written hazard communication program at each workplace (29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)).
- Employees get information and training on the hazardous chemicals in their work area at initial assignment, and again whenever a chemical hazard they have not been trained on comes into that area (29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1)).
29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1) and (h)(1) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
49. Safety data sheets
- Safety data sheets are kept in the workplace and readily accessible to employees in their work areas during each shift (29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8)).
- Know where the binder, the tablet or the QR code is before you need it.
29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
50. GHS labels
- Read the signal word, the pictograms and the hazard statements before you open a container.
- Danger means the more severe hazard; Warning the less severe.
29 CFR 1910.1200(f) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
51. Secondary container labels
- Each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked, except as the rule allows (29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6)).
- Label every bottle you fill, even for a quick job.
29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
52. Chemical storage and compatibility
- Keep oxidizers away from fuels and acids away from bases.
- Check Section 7 of the safety data sheet for storage conditions.
29 CFR 1910.1200 · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
53. Spill response
- A small spill that the crew can control on the spot is cleaned up with the kit and the safety data sheet.
- Anything bigger, or anything you are not sure about: get out, keep others out and call for help.
29 CFR 1926.65(q) for emergency response · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
54. Silica dust
- For each employee on a task listed in Table 1, the employer fully and properly uses the engineering controls, work practices and respiratory protection the table specifies, unless exposure is assessed and limited another way (29 CFR 1926.1153(c)(1)).
- Cut wet or with the dust collection the tool was designed for.
29 CFR 1926.1153(c)(1) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
55. Asbestos
- Before the work begins, building and facility owners determine the presence, location and quantity of asbestos-containing material at the work site (29 CFR 1926.1101(k)(2)(i)).
- Stop and report any suspect material that was not identified.
29 CFR 1926.1101 · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
56. Lead
- In construction, no employee is exposed to lead above 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air averaged over an 8-hour period (29 CFR 1926.62(c)(1)).
- Wash hands and face before eating, drinking or smoking, and keep work clothes out of the car and the house.
29 CFR 1926.62(c)(1)
57. Respirators
- A respirator user gets a medical evaluation before being fit tested or required to use the respirator (29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1)).
- Retraining is given annually and when changes or gaps in knowledge call for it (29 CFR 1910.134(k)(5)).
29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1) and (k)(5)
58. Hearing protection
- In construction, ear protective devices are provided and used where noise cannot feasibly be reduced to the Table D-2 limits (29 CFR 1926.101(a)).
- Roll, pull the ear up and back, insert and hold: a half-inserted plug does little.
29 CFR 1926.101, 1910.95 · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
59. Bloodborne pathogens
- In general industry, employees with occupational exposure are trained at initial assignment and at least annually after that (29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(ii)).
- Treat all blood as infectious, and use gloves from the first aid kit.
29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(ii)
60. Toilets and washing on site
- In construction, toilets are provided for employees according to Table D-1 of 29 CFR 1926.51 (29 CFR 1926.51(c)(1)).
- Wash before eating, especially after work with lead, silica or chemicals.
29 CFR 1926.51(c)(1)
Fire and emergencies
61. Fire extinguisher use
- Pull, aim low, squeeze, sweep.
- Fight only a small fire, with the alarm raised and a clear exit behind you.
29 CFR 1910.157(g), 1926.150(c)(1)(i) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
62. Extinguisher inspection
- In general industry, portable extinguishers are visually inspected monthly (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2)).
- Check the gauge, the pin and seal, and that nothing blocks the extinguisher.
29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
63. Hot work and fire watch
- Where welding, cutting or heating is done, suitable fire extinguishing equipment is immediately available and ready for instant use (29 CFR 1926.352(d)).
- When normal precautions are not enough, someone is assigned to guard against fire during the work and for a sufficient time afterward (29 CFR 1926.352(e)).
29 CFR 1926.352(d) and (e) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
64. Welding and cutting
- Clear combustibles from the area, or cover them, before the arc or flame starts.
- Use the right shade of eye protection for the process.
29 CFR 1926 Subpart J · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
65. Compressed gas cylinders
- In construction, valve protection caps are in place and secured when cylinders are transported, moved and stored (29 CFR 1926.350(a)(1)).
- Keep cylinders upright and chained so they cannot fall.
29 CFR 1926.350(a)(1) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
66. Flammable liquids
- Store fuels in approved containers, closed, away from heat and sparks.
- Bond and ground when transferring flammable liquids between metal containers.
29 CFR 1926.152 · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
67. Temporary heaters
- In construction, fresh air is supplied in sufficient quantities with temporary heating, and mechanical ventilation is provided where natural fresh air is inadequate (29 CFR 1926.154(a)(1)).
- Keep heaters away from tarps and combustibles, and never run a fuel-burning heater in a closed space.
29 CFR 1926.154(a)(1)
68. Emergency action plan
- In construction, when an OSHA standard calls for an emergency action plan (29 CFR 1926.35(a)), its minimum elements include escape procedures and route assignments, procedures to account for all employees after evacuation, and rescue and medical duties (29 CFR 1926.35(b)).
- Know the assembly point and who counts heads.
29 CFR 1926.35(a) and (b)
69. Exit routes
- In general industry, exit routes are free and unobstructed, with no materials or equipment placed in them, even temporarily (29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3)).
- Walk your way out once at the start of a new job.
29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3)
70. First aid
- In construction, a person with a valid first aid certificate is available at the worksite when no infirmary, clinic, hospital or physician is reasonably accessible (29 CFR 1926.50(c)).
- Know where the kit and the eyewash are, and the address to give 911.
29 CFR 1926.50, 1910.151 · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
71. Severe weather and lightning
- Decide in the morning who watches the weather and who calls the crew in.
- When thunder roars, get off steel, ladders, lifts and open ground, and wait for the storm to pass.
No specific OSHA standard
PPE and the body
72. PPE basics
- In construction, protective equipment is provided, used and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever hazards make it necessary (29 CFR 1926.95(a)).
- It is provided at no cost to employees, with the exceptions the rule lists (29 CFR 1926.95(d)(1)).
29 CFR 1926.95(a) and (d)(1) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
73. PPE hazard assessment
- In general industry, the employer assesses the workplace to determine whether hazards call for personal protective equipment (29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)).
- A written certification identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying, the date and the document as a certification of hazard assessment (29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2)).
29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1) and (d)(2)
74. PPE training
- In general industry, each employee who is required to use PPE is trained, including when it is necessary, what to wear, and how to put it on, adjust and take it off (29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1)).
- Show the crew how, then watch them do it.
29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1)
75. Eye and face protection
- In construction, each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection against flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation (29 CFR 1926.102(a)(1)).
- Glasses go on before the tool starts.
29 CFR 1926.102(a)(1)
76. Head protection
- In construction, employees in areas with a possible danger of head injury from impact, falling or flying objects, or electrical shock and burns are protected by protective helmets (29 CFR 1926.100(a)).
- Replace a hard hat with a cracked shell or a worn suspension.
29 CFR 1926.100(a) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
77. Hand safety and gloves
- In general industry, employers select hand protection and require its use when hands are exposed to hazards such as severe cuts, punctures and chemical burns (29 CFR 1910.138(a)).
- Match the glove to the task, and check the machine's manual before wearing gloves near rotating parts.
29 CFR 1910.138, 1926.95(a) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
78. Manual lifting
- Test the weight, keep the load close and lift with your legs.
- Use a cart, a hoist or a second person for anything heavy or awkward.
No specific OSHA standard · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
79. Ergonomics and repetitive work
- Change positions and tasks during long repetitive work.
- Raise the work to waist height when you can, instead of bending to it all day.
No specific OSHA standard
Weather
80. Heat stress
- Water, rest and shade, and extra care for workers new to the heat.
- Confusion or collapse in the heat is an emergency: call 911 and start cooling the person.
No federal heat standard in force; water: 29 CFR 1926.51(a)(1) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
81. Hydration
- In construction, an adequate supply of potable water is provided in all places of employment (29 CFR 1926.51(a)(1)).
- For moderate work in the heat, NIOSH recommends a cup of water at short, regular intervals; the hydration talk gives its numbers.
29 CFR 1926.51(a)(1) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
82. Cold stress
- Dress in loose layers, keep dry, and carry spare socks and gloves.
- Shivering, clumsiness and confusion are early signs of hypothermia.
No specific OSHA standard · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
83. Sun exposure
- Cover up with a hard hat brim, long sleeves and sunglasses, and use sunscreen on exposed skin.
- Take breaks in the shade during the strongest midday sun when you can.
No specific OSHA standard
84. Ticks and insects
- Wear long sleeves and pants in brush and tall grass, and use repellent.
- Check for ticks after work and remove any you find promptly.
No specific OSHA standard
People, records and planning
85. Situational awareness
- Take ten seconds before each task to look above, below and around you.
- Run the check again every time something on the site changes.
No specific OSHA standard · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
86. Complacency
- Do the pre-task check on the hundredth day the way you did on the first.
- Thank the person who points out your shortcut.
No specific OSHA standard · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
87. Fatigue
- Long shifts and short nights slow reactions; say so before you take on a risky task.
- Plan the hardest work for the part of the shift when the crew is fresh.
No specific OSHA standard
88. Drugs and alcohol
- Nobody works impaired, including from prescription medicines that cause drowsiness.
- Tell the supervisor, privately, if a coworker seems unfit for the task.
No specific OSHA standard
89. Mental health
- Learn the warning signs, and ask a struggling coworker directly how they are doing.
- Call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, any time, free and confidential.
No specific OSHA standard · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
90. Workplace violence
- Report threats and aggressive behavior right away, whoever they come from.
- Do not try to handle a violent situation alone; leave and call for help.
No specific OSHA standard
91. Incident reporting
- Employees have the right to report work-related injuries and illnesses, and employers are prohibited from discharging or discriminating against them for reporting (29 CFR 1904.35(b)(1)(iii)).
- Report every injury the same day, however small.
29 CFR 1904.35(b)(1) · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
92. Near miss reporting
- OSHA's recommended practices treat close calls as a sign that hazards are not controlled.
- Report what happened and what could have happened; the point is the hazard, not blame.
No specific OSHA standard · Full talk with PDF and sign-in sheet
93. The OSHA 300 Log
- Each recordable injury or illness is entered on the OSHA 300 Log and 301 Incident Report within seven calendar days of receiving the information (29 CFR 1904.29(b)(3)).
- Report injuries to the supervisor right away so the clock does not run out.
29 CFR 1904.29(b)(3)
94. Posting the 300A
- The annual summary is posted no later than February 1 of the year after the records and stays posted until April 30 (29 CFR 1904.32(b)(6)).
- Know where it hangs, and tell the office if it is missing.
29 CFR 1904.32(b)(6)
95. Access to injury records
- When an employee, a former employee, a personal representative or an authorized employee representative asks for the OSHA 300 Log, the employer gives a copy by the end of the next business day (29 CFR 1904.35(b)(2)(iii)).
- Employees can ask; nobody gets in trouble for asking.
29 CFR 1904.35(b)(2)(iii)
96. Training records
- Some standards ask for a written training certification with set contents, such as lockout/tagout in general industry (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(iv)) and fall protection in construction (29 CFR 1926.503(b)(1)).
- Sign the sheet at every training and toolbox talk; it is the proof you were there.
29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(iv), 1926.503(b)(1)
97. New worker orientation
- Construction employers instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations that apply to the work (29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2)).
- Pair each new worker with an experienced one for the first days.
29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2)
98. Stop-work authority
- Anyone who sees an imminent hazard stops the work and calls the supervisor.
- Agree on the words or the signal for stop before the shift starts.
No specific OSHA standard
99. Pre-task planning
- Before each task, list the steps, the hazards of each step and the control for each hazard.
- Change the plan when the job changes.
No specific OSHA standard
100. Visitors on site
- Every visitor checks in, gets the site rules and the PPE the area calls for, and stays with an escort.
- Keep visitors out of active work zones.
No specific OSHA standard