Parking lot safety (toolbox talk)
It’s your job as an EHS professional to ensure the safety of the entire operation—from the people and processes to the exterior of the worksite. But everyday areas like the parking lot are easy to forget about when you have a lot going on inside. Use this parking lot safety toolbox talk to remind your team that safety applies to all areas of the facility.
Parking lot toolbox talk overview
During this toolbox talk we’ll discuss:
- Parking lot hazards
- Safe behaviors in the parking lot
- Submitting hazard reports
If you apply the same level of attention to personal safety in the parking lot as you do inside the work zone, you should be able to reduce your chance of injury.
Common parking lot hazards
There are three main types of parking lot safety hazards:
- Conditions: Poor weather, signage, or lighting, potholes, cracks, etc.
- Vehicles: People pulling in and out of spots or trying to enter or exit the parking lot
- Pedestrians: People walking behind vehicles, crossing over to the sidewalk, etc.
Notice that there are hazards to look out for regardless of whether you’re in a car or not. Being aware of your surroundings is the best way to avoid incidents.
Safety in the parking lot
Lack of awareness is one of the top factors that causes parking lot incidents. Stay safe as a driver by following the posted speed limit. Make sure you keep your eye out for pedestrians and always use a turn signal to communicate with others around you. This applies to when you’re entering or exiting the lot, as well as when you’re turning into a space.
As a pedestrian, you can reduce hazards by keeping your eyes on the path. Don’t use your phone or talk to others in the middle of the driving area. Also, you should stick to the designated walkways to stay out of the line of fire. One of the worst things you can do is walk directly behind vehicles where they can’t see you. If you get to a walkway as soon as possible, you’ll be less likely to get hit.
Submitting hazard reports
If you witness an unsafe behavior or condition in the parking lot, report it to the safety team so they can address it. For vehicle hazards, try to get the license plate, make, and model if you can. The more information you can offer, the easier it’ll be to figure out who’s causing the issue.
For unsafe conditions like potholes, faded markings, etc., make sure to report the exact location. These hazards get worse with time, especially depending on what season of the year it is. The earlier you can report them, the faster they can get fixed.
