Free 5-minute toolbox talkSeasonal and holidaysEnglish and Spanish
New year toolbox talk: a safety reset
New Year's Eve can leave people tired, dehydrated or still impaired the next morning. What OSHA requires: OSHA has no specific standard for new year safety; the general duty to train still applies. In construction, the employer must instruct each employee in recognizing and avoiding unsafe conditions and the rules that apply to their work environment (29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2)).
A free new year toolbox talk for the first meeting of the year. Use it as a safety reset, in English or Spanish, in about five minutes.
Updated October 29, 2026 · Based on 29 CFR 1926.21
Read it out loud
Free 5-minute toolbox talk
Read it out loud to your crew. It takes about 5 minutes.
Start with a question
If you could fix one safety thing on this crew this year, what would it be?
Why it matters
A new year is a natural time to reset habits. Crews come back from the holidays rested but out of rhythm, and old shortcuts creep back fast. A short, honest look at last year helps everyone start the new one with clear goals and fresh eyes.
Key points
Look back at last year
Think about the close calls, the repeat problems and the things that went well. Ask the crew what nearly hurt someone and why it kept happening. Pick the top one or two to fix first. Small goals that people actually remember beat a long list that nobody reads.
Refresh training, not just paperwork
Check who is new, who changed jobs and who has not done a task in a while. Employers have to instruct each employee in recognizing and avoiding unsafe conditions and the rules that apply to their work. Plan the year's training now so nothing is missed.
Walk the site with fresh eyes
After time away, hazards that you stopped noticing stand out again. Do a walk-through of the work area, tools and materials. Look at ladders, cords, guards, housekeeping and walkways. Fix or tag out anything that is not right before work starts.
Know your emergency plan
Review where the exits are, who calls for help, where the extinguishers and first aid kit are, and where the crew meets up. Do not assume the new people know. Say it out loud, and walk the route if you can.
Start the year rested and sober
New Year's Eve can leave people tired, dehydrated or still impaired the next morning. If someone is not fit to work safely, they should tell the supervisor before they climb, drive or run equipment. Plan a safe ride home on the night itself.
Speak up and report
A resolution only works if people can say what they see. Make it normal to report hazards, close calls and injuries early. Everyone should know the reporting procedure and how to use it.
Scenario
Picture this: It is the first Monday after the holidays. The crew is rushing to catch up. A worker who has been off for two weeks grabs a ladder from the truck without checking it, and a cracked rail goes unnoticed. Another worker is still tired from a late night and misses a step. Nobody did a walk-through, and half the crew does not know where the muster point moved to. What would a safety reset have caught?
Ask the crew
- What was our biggest close call last year, and have we fixed the cause?
- What one safety habit will you work on this year?
- What training do you need that you have not had yet?
- Does everyone here know the exits, the meeting spot and how to call for help?
Takeaway
Start the year with one clear safety goal, a quick site walk and a crew that feels free to speak up.
Trainer: ______________________ Date: ____________
Credit: ToolboxKits, https://toolboxkits.com/topics/new-year-safety/ (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
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Try it
Try the quiz
Three questions from this topic. Pick an answer to see the right one and the OSHA paragraph.
Question 1 of 3
What is a good first step in a new year safety reset?
The rule
What OSHA requires
Plain-language summary. Each line links to the exact paragraph of the regulation.
OSHA has no specific standard for new year safety; the general duty to train still applies. In construction, the employer must instruct each employee in recognizing and avoiding unsafe conditions and the rules that apply to their work environment.
“The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.”
In construction, the safety program must provide for frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials and equipment by competent persons the employer designates. A walk of the site after a holiday or a change in routine is a good use of that duty.
“Such programs shall provide for frequent and regular inspections of the job sites, materials, and equipment to be made by competent persons designated by the employers.”
Emergency action plans must include procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency. Everyone should know who to tell and how, before something happens.
“Procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency;”
Employers must tell each employee how to report work-related injuries and illnesses. Know that procedure, and use it for small injuries and close calls too.
“You must inform each employee of your procedure for reporting work-related injuries and illnesses;”
In general industry, exit routes must be free and unobstructed. Nothing may be placed in an exit route, even for a short time, so keep decorations, tables, coolers and deliveries out of hallways and doorways that lead out.
“No materials or equipment may be placed, either permanently or temporarily, within the exit route.”
In general industry, portable fire extinguishers must be mounted, located and identified so employees can reach them easily. Do not let decorations, stacked boxes or party supplies block them.
“mount, locate and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.”
Common questions
Questions people ask
What should a new year toolbox talk cover?
Cover a look back at last year's close calls, one or two clear goals for this year, a refresher on emergency plans and exits, and how to report hazards and injuries. Add a quick site walk if you can. Keep it short and end with a question.
Is there a new year's safety moment I can use?
Yes. Ask the crew what one safety habit they will work on this year, and why. Then share the first goal you will focus on as a team. This page gives you the full talk in English and Spanish.
What are good safety meeting topics for the new year?
Good topics are a reset of safety goals, refresher training, housekeeping, ladders, emergency plans, reporting close calls, fatigue after the holidays and winter hazards. Pick the ones that fit your work.
Is there a New Year's Eve safety toolbox talk?
The key points are a safe ride home, no impaired work the next day, and checking in on tired coworkers. This page includes a short section on starting the year rested and sober, which you can use for a pre-holiday or post-holiday meeting.
Does OSHA require a safety resolution or new year training?
OSHA has no specific standard for new year safety resolutions. The general duty to train still applies, and employers must provide for frequent and regular inspections of job sites in construction, so a new year is a good time to plan both.
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