“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
n this week’s webinar, Greenius SVP Matt Crinklaw presented strategies to create effective tailgate talks and shared Greenius’ “top 10.” Tailgate talks are short, informal safety meetings that happen at the job site before work begins. They’re also a great way to improve your safety record.
How can you make tailgate talks more effective?
There are a few important things to remember when creating a tailgate talk.
- Choose relevant topics. Identify potential safety issues that your team could encounter that day, on that job site. When employees can see an immediate application of the safety discussion, it’s more likely to stick with them.
- Create a schedule.You should plan the talk to happen at the job site before any work starts. That way, you can give enough time to discuss the topic without interrupting work flow.
- Be prepared. If you need materials or resources for the talk, be sure you have them ready. You might include diagrams or videos to help.
- Be engaging. We’ve all been in a meeting where someone just drones on and on. It’s easy to check out and stop listening. Encourage employees to ask questions, make the talk interactive, and encourage an open dialogue. Consider asking people if they have experiences with the topic and hear what they have to say.
- Keep it brief, keep it clear. Tailgate talks shouldn’t be longer than 10 minutes. Stick with one main point and try not to overwhelm people with too much information.
- Demonstrate safety practices. Whenever possible, demonstrate the safety topic and encourage participation. It helps people retain information better.
- Reinforce your key messages. At the end of your tailgate talk, summarize the main takeaways and show how they can be used in daily work. Encourage questions and clarify any misunderstandings.
- Follow up. After the tailgate talk, follow up with your team to make sure they understood the topic and know how to apply that knowledge.
Want to know more about tailgate talks? You can download the webinar here!
Watch the Webinar!
