Heritage breach toolbox talk
Read it out at the pre-start or a toolbox meeting, talk through the questions, and have everyone sign on. It's built from our heritage breach page and the 24 SafetyDocs templates that cover it.
- Site
- Date
- Presented by
What it is
Damage to heritage-listed buildings, Aboriginal cultural heritage places or archaeological finds, with legal penalties and irreversible loss.
Controls to check, most effective first
- Check heritage registers and overlays before work starts, and get the permits and approvals that apply to the site.
- Have heritage advisers brief the crew on the significant elements and the conditions of approval.
- Mark and fence significant structures, trees and areas, and plan access and storage so that plant stays away from them.
- Use methods that suit the material, such as hand tools or low-vibration equipment, and protect fabric that stays in place.
- Stop work straight away if a possible relic, burial or cultural item is found, and notify the heritage authority.
- Record the condition of heritage elements before and after work, using photographs and a written condition report.
Questions for the crew
- Where could heritage breach come up on this job today?
- The most effective control is: “Check heritage registers and overlays before work starts, and get the permits and approvals that apply to the site”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
- Which controls for heritage breach are missing or not working on this site?
- When would you stop work because of heritage breach, and who would you tell?
- How do we report a hazard, a near miss or an incident on this job?
Sign-on record
Everyone who attended signs below. Keep it with your toolbox talk records.
| Name | Company | Signature |
|---|---|---|
A starting point for a talk, not a SWMS or a risk assessment. Add what's particular to your site and crew.