Inadequate crew toolbox talk

What it is

Too few workers, or a crew without the roles the task needs, such as doggers, safety observers or a crane coordinator, so hazards go unwatched.

Controls to check, most effective first

1. Assess the size and complexity of the work before setting the crew, and plan the roles each task needs.
2. Confirm each role is filled by a worker who holds the licence or competency it requires, such as a dogging or crane licence.
3. Appoint a safety observer when plant may come near the exclusion zone of overhead power lines.
4. Appoint a crane coordinator when more than one crane works in the same area.
5. Review the crew when the scope, site conditions or schedule change, and stop work until any gaps are filled.
6. Brief the whole crew on who is responsible for what before work starts.

Questions for the crew

1. Where could inadequate crew come up on this job today?
2. The most effective control is: “Assess the size and complexity of the work before setting the crew, and plan the roles each task needs”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
3. Which controls for inadequate crew are missing or not working on this site?
4. When would you stop work because of inadequate crew, and who would you tell?
5. How do we report a hazard, a near miss or an incident on this job?