Mining Publication: Developing Toolbox Training Materials for Mining

• Group training
• Health and safety programs
• Training plans
• Training theory and methodology

Toolbox training is often described as short, informal training conducted at a worksite by technically competent persons for the benefit of a work team. This paper describes a process for developing effective toolbox training modules. The first step in creating toolbox training materials is to identify a subject relevant to the work group. After selecting the subject to develop into a toolbox talk, make a list of the hazardous characteristics of the subject. Developing a sense of empathy toward the victims in a story of a real accident or incident is one to the best ways to convey the circumstances and consequences of a hazardous condition. After telling the story, the next step in the process is to make user the injury result of the story is not repeated at the mine. A miner's active participation in the training is probably the most important and beneficial aspect of narrative-style toolbox training. In conclusion, toolbox training can be a valuable part of a training program. It can be used to share safety information and provide a structured, but informal, forum for improving safety at a mine. Toolbox training requires preparation, active participation, and follow-up, but it can stimulate attention to everyone's health and safety on the job.