Free toolbox talks

Download free toolbox talks written by our health and safety consultants. Each one is a short, printable PDF with the points to brief, questions to check your team understood, and a sign-off sheet for your records.

Choose a toolbox talk

Working at Height Toolbox Talk

The three steps before work at height, controls, precautions and questions.

Read and download

Confined Space Toolbox Talk

What counts as a confined space, the hazards, entry checks and rescue.

Read and download

PPE Toolbox Talk

What PPE is, where it falls short, and who is responsible for what.

Read and download

COSHH Toolbox Talk

Hazardous substances, risk assessment, safe use and hazard symbols.

Read and download

Asbestos Toolbox Talk

Where asbestos turns up, how it harms you, and what to do if you find it.

Read and download

Drugs and Alcohol Toolbox Talk

How alcohol and drugs affect safety on site, and what to do about it.

Read and download

What is a toolbox talk?

A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing on one topic, usually 10 to 15 minutes at the start of a shift. A supervisor or manager runs it where the work happens, so the team can see the hazards being discussed.

They are common on construction sites, but they work anywhere people face the same risks day to day: warehouses, maintenance teams, facilities staff and trades. A regular talk keeps one specific risk front of mind, gives people a chance to raise problems, and leaves you with a signed record that the briefing took place.

How to run a toolbox talk that people listen to

  • Pick a topic that matches the work happening this week.
  • Hold it on site and point at the real ladders, substances or spaces you are talking about.
  • Keep it short. Read the key points, then ask the questions at the end of the PDF.
  • Add your own rules, such as permits, inspection checks or who to report problems to.
  • Get everyone to sign the confirmation sheet and keep it with your training records.

Get a new toolbox talk every month

The talks on this page are a selection from our library. Customers on our Hassle Free retained health and safety service get a new toolbox talk every month through a private portal, along with a written policy, templates and a support line to call. Hassle Free starts from £125 a month + VAT.

Construction firms can also look at Hassle Free for construction, building and trades, which adds SSIP support.

Trusted by organisations across the South West

“The trainer kept my interest all day. I learnt so much more because it was interesting”

SH
South Gloucestershire Council

“We are very happy with the service that Acorn provide. They are knowledgeable and very helpful especially when it comes to writing new policies or assisting in queries.”

T
Nash Partnership

Foundation Level Manual Handling: “Thank you. A really great day. Very enjoyable and informative. 10/10”

K
Gloucester City Homes

Asbestos Awareness: “Course contents and delivery was excellent. 10/10”

M
Wellsway School

“Happy with the advice and support received. Roger is great at what he does and offers very practical advice.”

 

DC
Roland DG UK Ltd

“The First Aid at Work Re-qualification course was helpful in reviewing changes in practice over the last 3 years. The defibrillator training will potentially help more people sooner. The Acorn trainer made everyone feel at ease & the group integrated and engaged quickly”

RE
The Limes Children's Centre

Foundation Level Manual Handling and First Aid at Work:

“We received the above training over two weeks which was much appreciated. Although we have filled in individual feedback forms on the day, I thought I would give some positive feedback with regards to the course itself and both Acorn trainers.
The first aid course was extremely enjoyable. Whilst going through the mandatory information for the course, the Acorn trainer was able to adapt some areas of the course to suit our service needs which was great.
His delivery was excellent and we were laughing whilst learning.
The Manual Handling course was informative, hands-on and very thorough.
The Acorn trainer came across very knowledgeable & confident about this area and delivered the course at exactly the right pace.
Overall feedback from all that attended was positive.
I have recommended Acorn to our Training Manager for further courses throughout GCH”

L
Gloucester City Homes

“Best manual handling I’ve been on so far. Plenty of practice with different equipment and scenarios. 10/10”

LH
Bristol Community Health

“The part of the Level 3 Paediatric Fist Aid training I found most helpful was the CPR section and, understanding it in more depth, it’s really clicked this time! It’s given me confidence and solidified my previous knowledge. I love the focus on simplicity, a great presentation in language I understand.”

H
KIDS

“The Administering Medication training was helpful in understanding about EpiPens and how to administer eye drops.”

PB
Appleford School

“I found the Train the Trainer update training excellent and very informative and I found Sarah an excellent trainer”

S
South Gloucestershire Council

“The delivery of the IOSH Managing Safely course was perfectly blended between reading and discussion/participation.”

DC
Rolland DG UK Ltd

Administration of Medicines to Children in Schools: “Great – informative and professionally run course. 10/10. Thank you!”

M
Clevedon School

“The most effective manual handling training session I have undertaken.”

DJ
Carmarthen Dialysis Unit

“Health & Safety at our premises has improved considerably over the past 12-18 months with help and support of Roger and Team at Acorn Safety. Roger has given me the confidence o improve many areas of H&S where we needed procedures etc. I would recommend Acorn. 10/10”

MB
Polar Bear Windows

Client Manual Handling: “Very helpful, knowledgeable trainer who contextualised and adapted training very well when thinking about the needs of our learners. 10/10”

R
Weston College

Train the Trainer annual update course: “It was amazing!!! The training room and the trainer were great. It was lots of other professionals on the training (including an OT from South Glos) and it just felt really good! It also helped that they provided a yummy lunch”

R
United Response

“I just wanted to thank you for arranging the Administration of Medicines to Adults in Care training for us: it was excellent quality and the trainer, Sarah, engaged all team members really well. The staff were actively participating and all seemed to really benefit from the day.”

L
Bright Green Light

“The part I found most helpful was learning about the different types of epilepsy and the way to administer the medication.  I feel confident I will know what to look out for now.”

BD
Aspirations

“I just wanted to let you know that 10 of our volunteers attended first aid training on Friday 19th May 2017 and we really enjoyed it! The Acorn trainer was a very entertaining trainer who has the ability to make it fun yet still deliver the important content! We all came away feeling confident with our new skills! A huge thank you for accommodating our needs as an organisation, we really appreciate it, and will  definitely be looking into other courses. Acorn deliver.”

LP
South Gloucester Parents & Carers

“Very competent service helping us see through some red tape, to ensure we understand what it is we must and should do and what other aspects would be good practice”

Hassle Free
Haven Day Centre

“Excellent anecdotes, course was entertaining and the trainer had great knowledge”

SBK
Bristol University

“The Asbestos Awareness course I found really interesting/fascinating and worrying. I found the Statistics re: Asbestosis, really highlighted the problem & identification of materials containing asbestos was useful for my working environment.”

SN
Avon Archaeology Ltd

“I found all of the 12 hour Paediatric First Aid course helpful! It was good to hear all the information and it made me feel more confident. I found Linda extremely clear in her explanations and teachings. The facilities were good and it was organised very well.”

CE
Hambrook Primary School

“Attended the Level 3 Paediatric First Aid training: Big thank you to the Acorn trainer, fantastic trainer, passionate, caring & brought the training to life with his experience and personality.”

R
Survive

Fire Marshal with Live Fire: “Trainer was great, really knowledgeable, and the practical exercise was really helpful. 10/10”

K
Arcadia

“Each and every part of the Asbestos Awareness course showed how ignorant I was concerning asbestos. I will ensure that work done in our premises will be done and recorded properly.”

JT
St Ursula's Academy

“I have had first aid training and now the IOSH course through Acorn. both courses were great very professional with both trainers being excellent getting the point across in a very relaxed way. Thanks Roger for an enjoyable course. I thought the pace, content and the way in which it was presented was first class. As an added bonus I thought lunch was great”

RW
HH Willis Physics Lab

“The Emergency First Aid course was helpful specifically using the defibrillator. I found the course good fun.”

F
Celador Radio Ashton

Fire Marshal with Live Fire: “Very good. More interesting than previous training I have done”

M
Fidelius

Need more than a toolbox talk?

Our trainers run accredited health and safety courses at our Warmley training centre between Bristol and Bath, or at your premises. Call our team on 0117 958 2070 or email [email protected].

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