I've been passed a Risk Improvement Report by an insurer which makes reference to a requirement for Tool Box Talks to be undertaken to meet legislation. I have always viewed Tool Box Talks as best practice and not a requirement.

Can anyone point me in the direction of any legislation which details Tool Box Talks a requirement

Thanks

Martin

refer them to the prime minister!
"•investigating the demands made by insurance companies to ensure that levels of compliance do not force businesses to go far beyond what is actually required by law to secure their insurance cover"

Absolute must if your insurer wants it. I had to PAT test everything in the office to satisfy our insurer even though we had agreed that visual inspection was suitable.
They may see Toolbox Talks as part of the Information Instruction etc or as part of Consultation with the workforce but they very rarely back down.

Martin - If you ask the insurer what legislation requires toolbox talks to be given (and perhaps you've already done this or are considering it), it would be interesting to see what sort of answer you get. If you get one, please would you share it with us on this forum?

On a wider note, if any of us come across strange or unjustified requests from insurers, surely we should be politely challenging them. This might help to instil some more sense among insurers and gradually help to reduce unreasonable requirements sought by them. Any insurance representative who doesn't like being challenged in this respect could be reminded that the insured client always has the option of changing to another insurer. In my experience this point seems to work with errant contractors, so why not try it with insurers as well?!

p.s. On a jocular note, I don't think I've ever attended or given a toolbox talk: Is the person giving the talk supposed to stand on the toolbox in order to be more audible and/or appear more authorative? Also, if there's no toolbox available, would a suitably robust crate or other similar article be acceptable as a substitute for this purpose?! :-)

Answer to question 2; the orignal creator of the game forgot the game pieces when he took the game to try to market it and so used the charms from his wife's bracelet.

Insurers are like contractors - the quality is variable. In relation to risk improvement notices they will come one of 2 ways:-

1) The best way, following a face to face meeting with a risk surveyor during which the risk improvements should be discussed and agreed so that the final report contains no surprises.

2) Off the shelf "Package" policies will often be underwritten on a set of acceptance criteria. These may include security conditions you must meet, the need for written H+S documentation and training policies. This type of policy is sold as a commodity on price alone and the term coined by some within the industry is FIFO underwriting. Fit in or .... off. If you don't meet the criteria then go elsewhere.

The package policies are aimed more at shops, offices, motor traders and small businesses and the model is commonly used for internet and phone sales. Martin - if this is the type of policy your client has, you may have a harder job getting them to vary or waiver it.

For larger concerns, you really should be seeing a broker. Yes they do get a commision from the insurer but they are working for the policyholder and will pull the insurer up if they think a term or policy condition is too onerous.

Finally, I'm always happy to be challenged on site. It demonstrates the client is listening to what I am asking for and thinking of alternative ways of hopefully achieving the same goal.

David,

I bet you wish there was an edit function on ths forum. ;-)

From my memory the term toolbox-talk appears to have come from the US in the 1980s when we used to seek our inspiration on safety matters from that side of the pond. It may even have its origins much earlier in the DuPont organisation.

Please correct me if you have a better source of information.

Q1. I think it was named after to safety briefs on the shop floor where workers pulled up their toolbox as a seat.

'Toolbox talks and brief safety seminars are a recognised method of keeping employees effectively informed.'

...or, a method by which organisations can claim they are providing suitable instruction, information and training to their employees. To be perfectly honest, TBTs are often used as the philosopher's stone, over-rated, patronising and normally do not provide any new or useful information to the workforce.