Questions to Ask Before a Work Task
General Safety | 10-15 min
Summary
Many workplace injuries result from workers starting tasks without adequate planning or hazard consideration. Taking a few moments to ask key questions before beginning work can identify hazards that might otherwise cause injury. This simple practice - sometimes called a 'take two' or mental risk assessment - is one of the most effective injury prevention tools available to every worker.
Members get the full script, discussion questions, English + Spanish printable PDFs, and email delivery.
Start your 7-day free trialKey Points to Cover
- Pre-task questioning identifies hazards before they cause injuries
- Ask: What could go wrong? What hazards exist? Am I prepared?
- Address concerns before proceeding with work
- Assess every task, not just ones that seem dangerous
- Practice makes pre-task assessment automatic
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should this safety talk take?
Plan for about 10-15 min, with extra time for questions and site-specific examples.
Can I tailor the discussion to my workplace?
Yes. Use the key points as a starting place and connect them to the tasks, equipment, and procedures your team uses.