California law requires employers to hold regular tailgate safety meetings for construction workers. But running effective tailgate meetings can be a challenge. It takes preparation and a real desire to involve your crew in health and safety. Use this checklist to rate your skills as a trainer—how effective are your tailgate meetings?

• ARE YOUR SAFETY TOPICS RELEVANT? Do they relate to the work the crew is doing?
• ARE YOU WELL PREPARED? Before each safety meeting do you:
  
  
  • Inspect the job site for hazards related to your topic? (Use the Safety Walkaround Checklist.)
  • Read over the material you plan to cover? (See the Training Guide for your topic.)
  • Look up any terms or concepts you don't understand? (Use the Glossary.)
  • Make sure you are familiar with any laws, regulations, and company rules related to the day's topic?
  • Review reports of recent accidents on the site, including "near misses"?
    
    
• DO YOU GET THE CREW ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE MEETING? Do you:
  
  
  • Begin with a real-life example, or with information that will capture people's interest?
  • Encourage full participation by the crew throughout the meeting (while still keeping it focused on the topic)?
  • Invite the crew to ask questions and make suggestions related to the topic?
  • Respond to questions that you can answer, and offer to find answers you don't know?
  • Allow time at the end of the meeting for questions and suggestions on any safety issue?
  • Ask the crew for feedback about the meeting?
  • Involve the crew in preparing for and/or leading future safety meetings?
    
    
• DO YOU FOLLOW UP ON EACH MEETING? Do you:
  
  
  • Look into complaints, concerns, and suggestions that the crew brought up?
  • Report back later to let the crew know what will be done?
  • Keep good records of each tailgate meeting and other safety matters?
    
    
• DO YOU SHOW THAT YOU TAKE SAFETY SERIOUSLY? Do you:
  
  
  • Set an excellent safety example yourself?
  • Invite crew members to come to you anytime with safety problems and suggestions?
  • Encourage and reward safe work practices?