Leading monthly safety meetings can be a challenge. Use these tips to create interesting tailgate sessions where everyone is involved.
- Take the time to plan the meeting. Identify important items like the purpose of the
meeting, what topics are going to be covered and who should attend.
- Anticipate what questions might be asked and come prepared with answers. If the meeting topic is going to cause arguments, bring some ideas for solutions.
- Don’t get sidetracked, stick to the plan. Write up a simple agenda for the meeting and share it with everyone attending. This will help keep everyone on track.
- Pick a good location. Holding a safety meeting in a pounding rainstorm or beside loud machinery will make it difficult for everyone to concentrate. Have some fun; people also turn off during boring meetings.
- Use good communication techniques during the meeting. Ask questions to check understanding and get people engaged. Set an informal, friendly tone to the meeting so others will add their thoughts and suggestions.
- Get people involved in the meeting. For example, have workers run the meetings or practice important skills like first aid or medical evacuation. Get everyone active, don’t just talk.
- If you’re getting side tracked by off topic issues, use the parking lot tactic. Tell everyone that those issues will be written down and dealt with at another meeting.
- If you’re stuck for safety topics for your meeting, look for ideas from other industries. Search the web for safety alerts from other resource industries.
Resources
One of the keys to an effective meeting is using information that is relevant and interesting to the crew. Here are some great resources that you can use at your next meeting:
