5 Toolbox Talks Help Steel Framing Companies Bring ‘Safety Week’ to Life

Featured image: Crews at the Boston Logan Airport project exercise and focus on ergonomic disciplines. Courtesy Construction Safety Week

Every day, cold-formed steel (CFS) framers walk onto construction sites with one goal in mind — get the job done safely. They take great pride in shaping the communities in which they live, work and play. But even more than that, they feel an unwavering responsibility to one another, and to their families and friends, to return home safe every day.

Wear helmets, protective eyewear and work gloves — be safety conscious. Courtesy of Associated Builders and Contractors

Safety Week 2025: “All In Together”

The theme of Safety Week 2025 (May 5-9, 2025) is “All In Together.” To strengthen the industry’s safety culture, Safety Week organizers encourage construction companies to present toolbox talks, videos and other materials. Here are 5 toolbox talks focused on craft workers. You use them this week — and throughout the year.

Toolbox Talk 1: Plan with Precision

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Every safe day starts with a smart plan. The best teams don’t just react—they anticipate. By planning early and considering every step, crews can stay ahead of hazards and control risks before work begins. Use your schedule to spot high-risk activities, and lean on the hierarchy of controls to protect your team. Remember: great planning is a team effort. When trade partners, workers and experts come together, safety leads the way.

Toolbox Talk 2: Identifying High Energy Hazards

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Safety is not just the absence of incidents; it is the presence of effective controls. To foster a truly safe environment, we must prioritize the identification and control of jobsite hazards, with a deliberate focus on high energy hazards, also known as Stuff That Could Kill You (STCKY). Eliminating these high energy hazards requires vigilance and collective commitment to identifying the hazards associated with the task, and ensuring that controls are implemented prior to beginning work. By understanding and addressing the risks associated with hazardous energy, we can ensure the safety and well-being of all team members.

Toolbox Talk 3: Own Your Part

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True safety means more than avoiding incidents—it means staying ahead of danger. Focus on high energy hazards, or Stuff That Could Kill You (STCKY). These risks demand our full attention and a shared commitment to control them before work begins. Stay alert. Speak up. Act early. When we identify hazardous energy and put strong controls in place, we protect lives—including our own.

Toolbox Talk 4: Engage and Empower Team Members

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Safety thrives when every team member feels heard, valued, and equipped to act. Engaged workers drive quality. Empowered workers speak up, spot hazards and lead by example. Build trust through open communication, shared decision-making, and real responsibility. When people feel ownership of the work—and the safety that surrounds it—everyone wins.

Toolbox Talk 5: Commit to Excellence

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Construction is the ultimate team sport—and every day is game day. Success starts when each of us shows up ready, follows the plan, works safely and has each other’s back. We’re all starters on this team and excellence is our standard. When we deliver with purpose, we don’t just build projects—we raise the bar for what great looks like.

Inspire Safety Leadership

Safety Week — the construction industry’s commitment to safe job sites in the United States and Canada — was started in 2014. More than 40 national and global construction firms comprising the Construction Industry Safety Initiative (CISI) and the Incident and Injury Free (IIF) CEO Forum joined forces to inspire safety leadership.

Additional Resources

• 5 Reasons Cold-Formed Steel Improves Job Site Safety
• Builders Embrace Steel Framing for Offsite Construction
• Professor Develops Prototype Wall Framing Machine to Revolutionize Construction