If you aren’t starting each shift with a safety huddle, you might want to start. Safety huddles are a short, focused meeting where workers examine a specific hazard or safety topic and reinforce the company’s commitment to safety and teamwork.
How to conduct a safety huddle
- The topic, place, and time of the huddle should be clearly announced.
- The meeting should begin promptly on schedule.
- The details on why the huddle is being held should be explained.
- The topic shouldn’t get sidetracked with issues not relative to the huddle topic; if an important off-subject topic is raised, schedule a separate huddle later and be sure it gets addressed.
- Allow time for discussion and questions. If an answer is unknown, contact your safety representative rather than guessing.
- Don’t spend the time only on problems — acknowledge what is being done right as well as areas for improvement.
- Use examples of real accidents, especially those that hit close to home, to grab attention and reinforce safety points.
Who leads a safety huddle?
In most cases, a supervisor leads the huddle because they understand the projects, hazards, and the employees involved. Responsible workers who take safety seriously and can speak comfortably in front of coworkers can also lead huddles.
For guidance on clear on-the-job communication practices that support huddles, see Enhancing Workplace Safety Communication.
What should a safety huddle discuss?
A safety huddle should take place at the start of each shift and cover items that help prevent incidents and keep people informed.
- Known and potential hazards of new projects.
- Any general on- or off-job safety problems that could affect the crew.
- Any accidents or close calls, including causes and corrective actions.
- Known or potential job hazards with an overview of the applicable safety rules that prevent them.
How long should a safety huddle last?
With a focused topic and standing participants, a huddle should usually last ten minutes or less. More complex topics may require a longer session or a follow-up huddle in a quieter area where workers can sit and participate.
What size should a safety huddle be?
Try to limit the huddle to about ten workers when possible, since larger groups make active participation difficult in a short time.
For information on safety rules that commonly apply across jobs and how to align them with workplace practices, see Safety Regulations Insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should safety huddles occur?
Hold huddles at the beginning of each shift or whenever a new hazard or task arises that the crew needs to understand.
Who should attend a safety huddle?
All workers assigned to the shift or task should attend, including supervisors and any contractors whose work affects the crew.
What if a huddle raises a complex issue?
Note the issue, assign follow-up to the appropriate person, and schedule a separate meeting or training session to address it fully.
Can workers lead huddles?
Yes—trained, responsible workers who communicate well can lead huddles, which can increase engagement and ownership of safety practices.