Nige
Senior Member
I'm sure many people will have come across this at toolbox/tailgate meetings before a shift starts. You have the guys who always speak up about safety (or anything else for that matter) - some have suggestions worth hearing, others appear to simply like the sound of their own voices........ however the vast majority of the crew stand there apparently like dummies and listen, chant the mantra at the end of the meeting and go off to work. How to involve them..?
Well one of our guys came up with the "Don't drop the Ball" idea. We have an old basketball that after the toolbox meeting introduction the supervisor/foreman launches it across the circle. Whoever catches the ball a) mustn't drop it and b) has to come up with a safety share on the spot. The way we put it to the guys is that nobody's expecting the ball to come their way but if it does come, just like being hit with a curve ball from left field while working, you have to be ready with a safety share just like you would have to be if something unexpected comes up while you were out working on the job.
We found that it brings out the quiet ones in the team who more often than not have something to say worth hearing, and it doesn't permit anyone to stand at the back hoping they won't be noticed. Their own workmates see to that.
A good idea that I thought was worth sharing.
Well one of our guys came up with the "Don't drop the Ball" idea. We have an old basketball that after the toolbox meeting introduction the supervisor/foreman launches it across the circle. Whoever catches the ball a) mustn't drop it and b) has to come up with a safety share on the spot. The way we put it to the guys is that nobody's expecting the ball to come their way but if it does come, just like being hit with a curve ball from left field while working, you have to be ready with a safety share just like you would have to be if something unexpected comes up while you were out working on the job.
We found that it brings out the quiet ones in the team who more often than not have something to say worth hearing, and it doesn't permit anyone to stand at the back hoping they won't be noticed. Their own workmates see to that.
A good idea that I thought was worth sharing.