Unfamiliar site conditions toolbox talk

What it is

Hazards missed by workers who do not know the site, its services or its emergency arrangements.

Controls to check, most effective first

1. Get site information before arrival, including plans, service locations, known hazards and emergency arrangements.
2. Complete the site induction before starting work, and confirm who the site contact is.
3. Walk the work area to identify services, access routes, exits, first aid facilities and assembly points.
4. Check the site's asbestos register and hazardous chemicals information before disturbing any materials.
5. Review and update the SWMS or work plan for site-specific hazards before work starts.

Where it comes up on the job

Work steps from SafetyDocs templates that deal with unfamiliar site conditions:

• Arrival on site and site assessmentPark clear of traffic, report to the supervisor, do the site induction and a JSA, and check phone reception.From EWP, Boom, Cherry Picker and Scissor Lift
• Arrival on-sitePark safely and complete the site inductionFrom Site Establishment
• Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditionsPark safely, report to the supervisor and complete the site inductionFrom Fibre Optic Splicing - Termination
• Site setupSet up a clear site induction point and secure work areasFrom Site Establishment

Questions for the crew

1. Where could unfamiliar site conditions come up on this job today?
2. The most effective control is: “Get site information before arrival, including plans, service locations, known hazards and emergency arrangements”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
3. Which controls for unfamiliar site conditions are missing or not working on this site?
4. When would you stop work because of unfamiliar site conditions, and who would you tell?
5. How do we report a hazard, a near miss or an incident on this job?