Impalement 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 impalement page and the 47 SafetyDocs templates that cover it.
- Site
- Date
- Presented by
What it is
Falling or being thrown onto upright reinforcing bars, star pickets, stakes or other protruding objects that can pierce the body.
Controls to check, most effective first
- Remove protruding objects where possible, and cut off or bend reinforcing bars once they are no longer needed.
- Cover exposed starter bars, star pickets and stakes with rated impalement protection caps or channels, not plastic bottles or tape.
- Keep other people clear of uncapped steel, and fence or sign areas where impalement hazards cannot be covered.
- Provide edge protection and safe access, so that people cannot fall onto steel from heights or slopes.
- Inspect caps and covers daily and replace any that are damaged, displaced or missing.
- Train workers to report exposed steel and not to climb or jump over it, and to wear sturdy footwear.
Questions for the crew
- Where could impalement come up on this job today?
- The most effective control is: “Remove protruding objects where possible, and cut off or bend reinforcing bars once they are no longer needed”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
- Which controls for impalement are missing or not working on this site?
- When would you stop work because of impalement, 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.