Subcontractor Toolbox Talks

Subcontractors are required to deliver toolbox talks to their own workforce on relevant site-specific hazards.
The principal contractor must coordinate toolbox talk topics to ensure all key hazards are covered across trades.
CDM 2015 requires the principal contractor to ensure effective communication of safety information to all workers.
Subcontractor toolbox talks should supplement, not replace, the principal contractor's site-wide briefings.
Topics should be relevant to the subcontractor's specific scope, such as trade-specific hazards and task risks.
Attendance records must be maintained by the subcontractor and made available for audit by the principal contractor.
Toolbox talks must be delivered in a language understood by the workforce, using translators if necessary.
Quality of delivery matters — reading a sheet without engagement does not achieve meaningful safety communication.
The principal contractor may provide standard toolbox talk materials for subcontractors to use and adapt.
Regular auditing of subcontractor toolbox talk delivery confirms compliance and identifies areas for improvement.

Legal duty	CDM 2015 requires safety information to reach every worker — subcontractor toolbox talks are a key mechanism.
Trade-specific hazards	Generic site talks do not cover trade-specific risks — subcontractors must address hazards unique to their scope.
Consistent standards	Coordinated toolbox talks across all subcontractors ensure consistent safety messaging and reduce communication gaps.

Do

Don't

Deliver toolbox talks to your workforce at least weekly on relevant site and task hazards
Coordinate talk topics with the principal contractor to avoid duplication and fill gaps
Record attendance for every toolbox talk and retain records for audit and inspection
Deliver talks in the language understood by your workforce, using translators where needed
Use site-specific examples and recent near misses to make the talk relevant and engaging
Encourage questions and discussion to confirm the workforce understands the key messages
Adapt materials provided by the principal contractor to your specific trade activities
Include seasonal, weather, and task-specific topics as conditions change through the project
Follow up on actions or concerns raised during the toolbox talk before the next session
Submit attendance records and talk topics to the principal contractor as required

DON'T skip toolbox talks because of time pressure or programme demands on the project
DON'T deliver talks in English only when your workforce includes non-English speakers
DON'T read the toolbox talk sheet without engagement — make eye contact and involve the team
DON'T rely solely on the principal contractor's site-wide briefings for your trade's hazards
DON'T forge attendance records — this is a serious breach of trust and compliance duty
DON'T repeat the same talk every week — vary topics to cover the range of relevant hazards
DON'T deliver talks in noisy areas where workers cannot hear the safety messages clearly
DON'T dismiss questions or concerns raised by workers during the toolbox talk discussion
DON'T treat toolbox talks as a paperwork exercise — they exist to prevent injuries and deaths
DON'T ignore the principal contractor's coordinated topic schedule for the project

See also: Toolbox Talk Engagement Techniques | Supply Chain Safety Communication

Presenter		Project
Location		Date

Toolbox Talk Record