BEH/General/TBT-BEH-007
Behavioural Safety Awareness and Principles
Behavioural Safety & Leadership › General › Behavioural Safety Awareness and Principles
Toolbox Talk
Behavioural Safety Awareness and Principles
Most workplace incidents are caused by unsafe behaviours rather than unsafe conditions. Behavioural safety focuses on understanding why people take shortcuts, ignore rules, or fail to speak up when they see something dangerous. By recognising the habits and pressures that lead to risky actions, every worker can make conscious choices to work safely and look out for their colleagues. Building a strong safety culture starts with individual behaviour.
Key Hazards
Normalisation of risk leading workers to accept unsafe practices over time
Time pressure and production targets encouraging dangerous shortcuts
Complacency from performing repetitive tasks without maintaining focus
Failure to intervene when observing a colleague working unsafely
Control Measures
- Stop and think before starting any task and carry out a personal dynamic risk assessment.
- Follow the method statement and safe system of work for every task without taking shortcuts.
- Challenge unsafe behaviour constructively when you see a colleague at risk.
- Report near misses and unsafe conditions so that lessons can be learned and shared.
- Take regular breaks to maintain concentration and avoid fatigue-related errors.
- Attend pre-task briefings and raise any concerns before the work begins.
- Use all required PPE correctly and do not remove it to speed up a task.
- Support new starters by mentoring them and demonstrating safe working practices.
- Accept feedback on your own behaviour positively and make changes where needed.
Remember
- The majority of workplace injuries are caused by unsafe behaviours, not unsafe conditions.
- If something does not feel safe, you have the right and the duty to stop work immediately.
- Challenging unsafe behaviour is not about blame — it is about keeping everyone safe.
- Complacency develops over time and is one of the biggest risks on any construction site.
- Near miss reporting prevents future injuries and is a sign of a strong safety culture.
- Every person on site is responsible for their own behaviour and for looking out for others.
Applicable Legislation: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 · Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 · CDM Regulations 2015
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