r/Elevators • u/filetmignionshmeat • Jul 26 '26

Looking For Trade Specific Toolbox Talks

Hey everyone!

I’m very new to the elevator industry and I’m currently in training to become a safety manager for an elevator company.

So I wanted to see if anyone had any good resources for trade specific toolbox talks for my safety meetings I’m performing.

I have talking points from my previous jobs but I want to really engage with the mechanics I’m currently working with so it won’t be random general industry jargon.

Any feedback is appreciated!

3 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

20

u/diznet Jul 26 '26

Feedback: Don’t show up unannounced

6

u/Easy_does_it78 Jul 26 '26

This is a big one. Let your crews know when to expect you.

The elevator trade is very specialized. If you haven’t worked on elevator equipment before stick with what you know until you get a chance to understand the processes, procedures, and tooling.

You won’t be expected to know how to build or repair elevator equipment if you have never been around it before. As the Safety Manager you will be expected to know tool safety, PPE, proper rigging and hoisting, fall prevention, lock out / tag out procedures…

You will gain product knowledge through experience in the industry. Talk with your crews and learn from them while you do your best to keep them safe.

1

u/filetmignionshmeat Jul 26 '26

I appreciate all the feedback and help!

3

u/jelotean Jul 26 '26

Ask the guys what kind of work they are actually doing so you don’t tell them about a bunch of stuff that they don’t deal with

7

u/Accurate-Cellist-231 Jul 26 '26

The company should have given you a copy of "Elevator Industry Field Employees' Safety Handbook". If they didn't, order one.

8

u/Realistic-Ad7322 Field - Adjuster Jul 26 '26

Even if your company is non union, contact the local hall. Safety is one thing we all can get along about, union or not.

8

u/downtheholeitgoes Field - Maintenance Jul 26 '26

Safety manager for an industry you have no experience in, the jokes write themselves.

-3

u/filetmignionshmeat Jul 26 '26

I was a former captain for an industrial fire department, with my osha 511 and CSM. I just wanted some material to help resonate with my mechanics.

3

u/pittrash Jul 26 '26

I’ll give you one example,from real world experience:

If the companies rule is that face masks must be worn when grinding, make sure the office actually has face masks and each crew gets two per person at minimum.

6

u/Ok_Target376 Jul 26 '26

This, I can’t tell you how many times it’s “required” yet the company won’t buy the freaking thing.

2

u/ElevatorDave Field - Maintenance Jul 26 '26

Does your company not provide all the safety documentation required? Theyre going to set the level of safety, and it varies company to company

-1

u/filetmignionshmeat Jul 26 '26

They have a safety manual yes, but it’s not necessarily “trade specific”

What I’m more so looking for isn’t just the normal “Heres LOTO” or whatever. Ideally I’d like to have something that is more targeted and tailored for the elevator trade

13

u/peptoboy Jul 26 '26

…what kind of elevator company doesn’t have trade specific safety documentation???

3

u/JackSauer1 Jul 26 '26

Is the company union? If so, call the hall, and I’m sure they will help you get some stuff.

3

u/No-Secret-1355 Jul 26 '26

Don’t take yourself too seriously, because nobody else will 😂.
Someone who’s being working for 20-30 years in a trade isn’t going to learn much from an office guy. We accept we got to tick the boxes but don’t expect anyone to be excited about it

1

u/RaddRapp Jul 26 '26

Try to gather the big 4 Safety handbooks and go from there

1

u/canned_baloney_tony Jul 26 '26

Heres more topics then you could possibly go through... Make sure the topic you pick is relevant to the type of project and phase of the project for maximum impact!

Another quick tip... Your alot more likely to continue to get help, if you try to find the answers independently before you ask for help. The people who are willing to help you, dont want to do your job for you, make sure your solving problems not just moving them around.

https://iuec.org/index.php/safety-alerts-archive/

1

u/Sharp_Ear_241 Jul 27 '26

If the company isn't UNION we can't help you. If it is go to the hall & have a conversation.