Optimisation of the Process for Generation, Delivery and Impact Assessment of Toolbox Talks on a Construction Site With Multiple Cultures

Toolbox talks (TBTs) are one of the most common practices on a construction site used to highlight safety messages. Key objectives for any project are to eliminate and reduce risks to health and safety where possible. An easy way to do this is through delivering TBTs. They are considered to be a good method to communicate current topics, both national and international, or highlight when a main contractor and project manager observe safety hazards or a task being carried out incorrectly. This pilot study investigated the current method of delivery and structure of TBTs on a London construction site, paying particular attention to the different learner types on a construction site, examining what category workers fall into in the workplace. The basic hypothesis would be that current TBT formats used on-site do not have the level of positive engagement and impact that they could or should have because of inconsistencies with content, design and delivery of the TBT. The research method involved an action research approach with two types of TBTs designed and delivered to managers and workers, followed by a discussion-based analysis. Workers and managers’ perception of TBTs, their current participation and preferred delivery methods were the main themes emerging from interviews and, when coupled with information from the literature, formed suggested changes. These suggested changes involve having consistency of duration and frequency of TBTs, a modified delivery method that considers worker learner types, through an andragogy approach, combatting perception and participation through a reward system, worker-led discussion of TBT format and overcoming the language barrier that exists in a predominately non native environment through assistive technology.