A few minutes before work can prevent much bigger problems later.
Working at height covers much more than roof work. It can involve work from ladders, podium steps, mobile towers, scaffolds and raised platforms, as well as work around mezzanines, roof edges, open edges, ceiling areas and other places where someone could fall and be hurt.
A working at height toolbox talk is a short, focused team briefing. Its job is to make sure everyone understands the task, the main working at height hazards, the agreed controls and what to do if conditions change. On its own it doesn't make work safe; it helps the team put the plan into practice. For general structure and other topics, see our free toolbox talk templates for UK trades.
What should a working at height toolbox talk cover?
1. The task and work area
Start with the basics so everyone has the same picture.
- What work is being carried out
- Where it is taking place
- Who is involved
- What is happening nearby
2. Access equipment
Discuss the ladders, podiums, towers, scaffolds or other access equipment being used. The equipment and controls must reflect the actual job, not a generic list.
3. Open edges and fall risks
Point out where someone could fall.
- Unprotected edges
- Floor openings
- Roof edges
- Fragile surfaces
- Changes in level
4. Falling objects
Tools, materials and debris can fall onto people working below. Agree how items will be managed and where exclusion areas are needed.
5. Site and weather conditions
Wind, rain, slippery surfaces, poor lighting and changing ground or site conditions all matter. The briefing should reflect the actual work environment on the day.
6. Tools, materials and manual handling
Carrying or using tools and materials at height can affect balance and grip, and adds the risk of dropped items. Talk through how they will be moved and stored.
7. PPE
PPE should reflect the risk assessment and the task. It is not a substitute for suitable planning or collective controls such as edge protection.
8. What happens if something changes?
Different access equipment, changing weather, an altered work area, another contractor entering the area, or damage or defects found in equipment. Encourage the team to stop and reassess where necessary.
When choosing PPE, our construction site PPE checklist for UK trades explains when each type applies and where to record the requirement.
A simple working at height toolbox talk structure
A reusable seven-step outline you can adapt for each job:
- 01
Describe today's task
What work is being completed, where and by whom?
- 02
Identify the main fall hazards
What could cause someone or something to fall?
- 03
Confirm the access method
What equipment is being used and has it been checked for the task?
- 04
Review the controls
Discuss edge protection, access arrangements, exclusion zones, housekeeping and other relevant measures.
- 05
Talk through changing conditions
What would cause the work to stop or the plan to be reviewed?
- 06
Ask for questions
Give the team an opportunity to raise concerns or clarify the method.
- 07
Record attendance and sign-off
Keep a simple record of who received the briefing and when.
Questions to ask the team before starting
- Does everyone understand today's task?
- Where are the fall hazards?
- Is the access equipment suitable for this job?
- Has the equipment been checked before use?
- Are there people working underneath or nearby?
- Could tools or materials fall?
- Are the ground and weather conditions suitable?
- Is the work area properly controlled?
- Does everyone know when work should stop?
- Has anything changed since the RAMS or risk assessment was prepared?
- Does anyone have a concern before work starts?
A toolbox talk doesn't replace the risk assessment or RAMS.
- Risk assessment: identifies the hazards, who may be harmed and the controls required. See our risk assessment template.
- Method statement / RAMS: explains how the work will be planned and completed. See the RAMS template for UK trades or read what is RAMS?
- Toolbox talk: briefs the people carrying out the work on the relevant hazards and controls before or during the job.
The toolbox talk should reinforce the existing plan rather than become a substitute for it. For roof work, our roofing RAMS and risk assessments guide covers the planning side in more detail.
When should you revisit the toolbox talk?
There is no universal fixed frequency. Another briefing or update may be appropriate when:
- the task changes
- the work area changes
- new workers join
- different access equipment is introduced
- weather or site conditions deteriorate
- an incident or near miss occurs
- the risk assessment or method changes
- the team identifies a new hazard
The aim is simple: the briefing should stay relevant to the work actually being done.
Keep a record of who was briefed.
A short record makes it easy to show who was briefed, on what and when, and to follow up on anything raised. A simple toolbox talk record can capture:
- Topic
- Site or job
- Date and time
- Person delivering the briefing
- Workers attending
- Questions or issues raised
- Confirmation or sign-off
Graftly helps trades create and organise toolbox talks alongside other site records, with workforce sign-off kept with the job and clean PDF exports from a phone, tablet or desktop. It sits alongside the RAMS and risk assessments covered in our RAMS software for UK trades guide. See how Graftly works or view pricing.
Example: working at height toolbox talk for roof maintenance
A small team is carrying out maintenance work on a commercial roof using an established access route.
Task
Roof inspection and minor maintenance.
Main hazards
- Roof edges
- Fragile areas where relevant
- Access and egress
- Falling tools or materials
- Changing weather
Controls discussed
- Agreed access route
- Suitable edge and fall controls based on the job
- Controlled area below where required
- Tools and materials managed securely
- Weather checked before and during the work
- Stop-work conditions agreed
Team check
Everyone understands the work area, access arrangement and conditions that would require the task to stop.
This is an illustration, not a universal safe system of work. Your briefing should follow the controls in your own risk assessment and RAMS — the roofing RAMS guide shows how those are typically documented.
Other toolbox talk topics worth covering
Working at height safety is one of many briefing topics. Others worth covering include:
For example structures across these topics, see the free toolbox talk templates, or browse all resources.
Working at Height Toolbox Talk FAQs
What is a working at height toolbox talk?
A short, focused team briefing before or during work at height. It makes sure everyone understands the task, the fall hazards, the access equipment, the agreed controls and what to do if conditions change.
What topics should a working at height toolbox talk cover?
Typically the task and work area, access equipment, open edges and fall risks, falling objects, site and weather conditions, tools and materials, PPE, and what happens if something changes. Focus on what actually applies to the job.
How long should a toolbox talk take?
There is no single fixed length. Most toolbox talks are kept short and practical, but take as long as the team needs to understand the task, hazards and controls and to raise questions.
Does a toolbox talk replace a risk assessment?
No. The risk assessment and method statement (or RAMS) set out the hazards, controls and how the work will be done. The toolbox talk briefs the team on that plan; it should reinforce it, not replace it.
Should workers sign a toolbox talk?
Keeping a record can help show who was briefed, on what and when. This may include attendee names, confirmation or signatures, depending on how the business or client records toolbox talks.
When should a working at height toolbox talk be repeated?
Whenever it stops being relevant — for example when the task, work area, access equipment, team or conditions change, after an incident or near miss, or when the risk assessment or method is updated.
Can I create toolbox talks in Graftly?
Yes. Graftly helps trades create and organise toolbox talks alongside RAMS, risk assessments and other site records, with workforce sign-off kept with the job and PDF exports when you need them.