Pre-Start Meetings and Toolbox Talks

Goal Understand and take part in short safety meetings before work. Many sites -- mines, construction, transport -- start each shift with a pre-start meeting or a toolbox talk. The supervisor explains the day's work and hazards, and workers can ask questions or raise concerns.

WHAT YOU WILL HEAR

"Today we're working near the crusher, so hearing protection on at all times."
"Watch out for heavy vehicles on the haul road."
"Any issues from last shift?"
"Has everyone done their vehicle pre-start checks?"

VEHICLE PRE-START CHECK WORDS

tyres, lights, indicators, brakes, horn, mirrors, fluid levels, seatbelts, fire extinguisher, two-way radio

TAKING PART

Raising an issue: "The lights on unit 12 were flickering last night."
Asking: "Is the east gate still closed today?"
Confirming: "Got it -- channel 2 for the radio."

RADIO LANGUAGE

Copy / Received = I heard and understood.
Say again = repeat, please.
Over = I've finished talking, your turn.

Keep radio calls short: who you're calling, who you are, the message.
"Light vehicle 4 to control, entering the haul road at gate 2, over."

PRACTICE

At the pre-start, you want to report that the passenger-side mirror on your
bus is cracked. Write what you would say.

Show sample answer

"Just a heads up -- the passenger-side mirror on bus 7 is cracked.
Can we get it looked at before it goes out?"

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