Toolbox Talk: Stop Work Authority

Before you start

Have a copy of the company's stop work policy, and be ready to say clearly that no one will be punished for using it in good faith.

Read this to your crew

Many serious incidents happen after someone noticed something was wrong but did not feel they could speak up. Stop work authority means anyone here, at any level, can stop a job they believe is unsafe.

Today we will talk about how to use it and what happens when you do.

Key points

Everyone has it. Every worker, contractor and visitor can stop work they believe is unsafe, whatever their role or experience.
Speak up clearly. Say stop, explain what you see and make sure the work is safe before anyone continues.
No blame for good faith. No one will be punished for stopping work in good faith, even if the job turns out to be safe.
Fix it before restarting. The crew and supervisor look at the concern together and fix it before work restarts.
Share what happened. Report the stop so others can learn from it, and thank the person who called it.

Ask the crew

Have you ever wanted to stop a job but did not? What held you back?
How would you call a stop on a crew you do not know?
What would make it easier to speak up here?

Picture this

A new apprentice sees a coworker about to enter a trench with no shoring. She is not sure she is allowed to say anything and stays quiet. Minutes later, the wall collapses. Knowing she had the authority to stop the job could have changed the outcome.

Print this page to use the sign-in sheet, or skip the paper and record attendance digitally in SafetyIQ.

Name

Company / crew

Signature

Talk leader: ______________ Date: ______________ Site: ______________