Skip to content
Free sample
Español

SAFETY MOMENT, MAY 4

Drink water before you are thirsty

See today's safety momentHow to give a safety moment

Safety moment, May 4

Drink water before you are thirsty

Heat illness can turn deadly, and it can come on fast. Someone with heat stroke may not realize anything is wrong, so the crew has to watch out for each other. The good news is that heat illness is preventable with water, rest, shade and a plan.

SAFETY MOMENT

May 4

The hazard

Heat illness can turn deadly, and it can come on fast. Someone with heat stroke may not realize anything is wrong, so the crew has to watch out for each other. The good news is that heat illness is preventable with water, rest, shade and a plan.

The action

In construction, an adequate supply of drinking water must be provided at every place of employment. Drink small amounts often through the whole shift, not just at lunch. Keep the water cool, clean and close to where people are working. (29 CFR 1926.51(a)(1))

ASK THE CREW

Where can we take breaks in the shade or a cool spot today?

Takeaway: Drink water often, rest in the shade, watch each other for warning signs and call 911 for heat stroke.

From the talk: Heat stress. Read it in full, free, with the questions and the sign-in sheet.

HOW TO USE IT

How to give a safety moment

  1. Gather the crew where they work, before the shift or the meeting starts. Read the hazard out loud.
  2. Ask the question and let two or three people answer. What they say about their own work counts for more than what you read.
  3. Name the action and point to one place on today's job where it applies, so everyone knows what to do differently.
  4. Write the date and the names on a sign-in sheet.

A safety moment is short and does not replace the full talk. When you want to go through a topic with the crew, pick a free toolbox talk.

PRINT AND EDIT

365 safety moments, $29

One moment for every day of the year in the same format as this one: the hazard, the action, the question and the source talk with its citation. Print a page a day or show a slide.

  • 365 safety moments, one per day
  • Dated PDF calendar, a page a day
  • PowerPoint with one slide per moment
  • English and Spanish
  • Each moment links back to its cited toolbox talk

Instant download. 30-day refund, no questions.

Free 52-week toolbox talk calendar (PDF)