The most common reason toolbox talks don't happen is that no one could think of what to talk about. Here are 12 topics drawn from the hazards Safe Work Australia identifies as the most significant in agriculture. Pick one, print the toolbox talk template, and you've got everything you need.
You don't need to cover everything on the card. Three minutes on one point is better than a rushed run-through of six.
Topic 01
Quad Bikes & Farm Vehicles
Quad bikes are the leading cause of farm fatalities in Australia.
- Who is authorised to operate each vehicle on this property?
- Are we using operator protection devices (OPDs) on quads?
- What's the rule about passengers?
- Pre-start checks: what are we actually looking for?
Ref: Safe Work Australia, Managing the Risks of Quad Bikes
Topic 02
Machinery: Power Take-Off (PTO), Augers and Moving Parts
Entanglement in unguarded machinery is a leading cause of serious injury on farms.
- Is guarding in place and are we actually using it?
- What's the procedure for isolating (switching off and locking out) machinery before doing any maintenance?
- Clothing hazards: loose sleeves, drawstrings, laces near power take-off shafts
- Who is trained and authorised to operate what?
Ref: Safe Work Australia, Agricultural Machinery Safety
Topic 03
Chemicals & Pesticides
Incorrect handling causes harm immediately and over the long term.
- Where are the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and have everyone seen them?
- What PPE is required for the chemicals we're using right now?
- How do we handle a spill or accidental exposure?
- Chemical storage: labelled, secured, away from food and water?
Ref: Safe Work Australia, Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals
Topic 04
Working at Heights
Falls from silos, grain bins, sheds, and ladders are preventable. And they keep happening.
- What tasks on this property require working above 2 metres?
- Is there a written procedure for those tasks?
- Is fall protection equipment (harnesses, guardrails) available and in good condition?
- No one works at height alone. Do we have a check-in system?
Ref: Safe Work Australia, Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
Topic 05
Manual Handling
Sprains and strains from lifting and repetitive work are the most common farm injury type.
- What are the heaviest or most repetitive tasks in the current work cycle?
- Are we using mechanical aids where they're available?
- Team lifts: when and how do we call one?
- Reporting early: why a sore back on day two matters
Ref: Safe Work Australia, Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice
Topic 06
Heat, Sun & Outdoor Work
Heat illness escalates fast. By the time someone feels sick, it's already a medical emergency.
- What's the plan when the forecast is above 38°C?
- Slip, slop, slap: what does the farm actually provide?
- Hydration expectations: how much, how often?
- Signs of heat exhaustion vs heat stroke, and what to do
Ref: Safe Work Australia, Heat Stress in the Workplace
Topic 07
Working Alone
Remote work means slow emergency response. A check-in system is not optional.
- What's our check-in process for anyone working alone on the property?
- If someone misses a check-in, what happens next?
- Do all workers know where first aid is and what the emergency plan is?
- Communication: does everyone have a working means of contact?
Ref: Safe Work Australia, Work Health and Safety Consultation, Co-operation and Co-ordination
Topic 08
New & Young Workers
Workers in their first few weeks are statistically most likely to be injured.
- Have all new starters had a site induction that covers actual hazards on this property?
- Is there a buddy or supervisor they can ask questions of?
- Are young workers (under 18) not assigned to high-risk tasks?
- What's our expectation when someone doesn't know how to do something safely?
Ref: Safe Work Australia, Young Workers and WHS
Topic 09
Electrical Safety
Overhead powerlines and damaged farm wiring cause electrocutions every year.
- Where are the overhead powerlines on and around this property?
- Height clearance rules when moving machinery: does everyone know them?
- Are we using a licensed electrician for all electrical work? No DIY.
- When did we last check the condition of extension leads and portable tools?
Ref: Safe Work Australia, Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace
Topic 10
Livestock Handling
Mustering, yarding, and handling animals puts workers in close proximity to unpredictable weight and force.
- Flight zones and reading animal behaviour: what do we expect workers to know?
- Yard and crush design: are there obvious trap points?
- Who is authorised to handle bulls, boars, or aggressive animals?
- Dogs: training, commands, and keeping them out of the crush
Ref: Safe Work Australia, Agricultural Work Health and Safety
Topic 11
Emergency Procedures
When something goes wrong on a remote property, every second matters. People need to know the plan before the emergency happens.
- Where is the first aid kit and is it stocked?
- What's the property address for emergency services? Do all workers know it?
- Fire procedure: extinguishers, evacuation point, who calls Triple Zero?
- Is there a defibrillator (AED) on site and does anyone know how to use it?
Ref: Safe Work Australia, First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice
Topic 12
Fatigue
Harvest and peak season create long hours. Fatigue impairs judgment as much as alcohol.
- What are our maximum hours expectations during peak season?
- Signs of fatigue in yourself and your workmates: what to look for
- Operating machinery or driving when tired: what's the rule on this property?
- How to raise a concern about workload without it being a problem
Ref: Safe Work Australia, Fatigue Management
These topics are a starting point. The best toolbox talk connects the topic to something that's actually happening on your property right now. "We're heading into harvest" or "we've just got three new starters" makes a topic immediately relevant.
Once you've picked a topic, use the Toolbox Talk Template to record the conversation. That record is what demonstrates to a SafeWork inspector that consultation is actually happening on your property.