Effective Tailgate Safety Meetings: Hazard Analysis & Best Practices

Tailgate safety meetings are site-specific discussions of health and safety issues. These training sessions should cover safety concerns that are anticipated for upcoming work. Workers will more easily remember short, direct talks about immediately important safety requirements.

Analyze Hazards

• Design tailgate talks to address safety issues of immediate concern for scheduled work. A hazard analysis of upcoming jobs will identify topics to be discussed.

Be Specific

• Choose safety topics specific to actual and anticipated hazards posed by the work at hand. Use case studies to reinforce important safety lessons.

Be Brief

• Keep meetings short, between 10 minutes and 15 minutes is sufficient. Meetings can be held as often as needed from weekly to daily.

Be Positive

• Keep the message positive. Stress the important benefits of following safety procedures.

Test the Results

• Ask questions and give brief quizzes to assure that workers understand the training.

Take Attendance

• Have workers sign an attendance sheet that includes the date and topic of training. Keep quiz results as well. These documents will serve as proof of training required by regulatory agencies.