1. What are psychosocial hazards?
Introduce your team to psychosocial hazards—risks to mental health caused by the way work is designed or managed. Cover bullying, job demands, lack of support, and poor work-life balance.
Check out this article: https://ldn.com.au/blog/visible-and-invisible-risks-in-the-workplace-managing-psychosocial-hazards-at-work
2. What are the psychosocial hazards in our workplace?
Encourage a team discussion about which psychosocial risks may exist in your own environment. Look at workload, team conflict, unclear responsibilities, and isolation. Make it relevant to their roles.
3. What is a positive duty?
Explain what “positive duty” means in safety law. It places responsibility on employers and leaders to proactively prevent harm—especially psychosocial risks.
More on this topic: https://ldn.com.au/blog/what-are-positive-duties
4. What’s the difference between wellbeing and wellness?
Clarify these two often-confused terms. “Wellness” typically refers to physical health habits, while “wellbeing” includes emotional, mental, and social factors that influence overall safety and performance.
Great explainer here: https://ldn.com.au/blog/navigating-the-difference-between-wellbeing-and-wellness-at-work
5. When change fatigue hits
Talk about the risks associated with too much change too fast. Change fatigue can reduce alertness, increase turnover, and make it harder for safety messages to land.
See also: https://ldn.com.au/blog/managing-change-and-overcoming-change-fatigue
6. Low near miss reporting – what it really means
Challenge the assumption that low near-miss reports mean a safer site. It could indicate fear of reporting or lack of engagement. Encourage open reporting and psychological safety.
More here: https://ldn.com.au/blog/low-near-miss-reporting-a-good-sign-or-failure
7. Sleep, fatigue, and safety
Highlight how important sleep is and how fatigue impairs performance. Discuss sleep quality, shift schedules, and rest breaks.
More data: https://ldn.com.au/blog/sleep-deprivation-increases-the-likelihood-of-a-workplace-accident-by-70
8. Stress and mental load
Explain how chronic stress and cognitive overload increase the likelihood of mistakes and injuries. Offer strategies like workload management and mindfulness resources.
9. Why upstanding matters
Talk about what it means to be an upstander, not a bystander—especially in preventing bullying, discrimination or unsafe practices.
Explore this: https://ldn.com.au/blog/the-upstander-fostering-safe-and-supportive-work-environments
10. What’s the true cost of mental health claims?
Discuss how mental health injury claims are rising across Australia and the long-term costs to individuals and businesses.
Use this article: https://ldn.com.au/blog/mental-health-statistics-from-safe-work-australia-highlights-rising-injury-claims
11. Safety culture check-in
Review what safety culture means at your workplace. Ask your team if they feel comfortable speaking up and if they understand the “why” behind safety rules.
12. The power of storytelling in safety
Encourage leaders to use real stories—especially close calls—to make risks relatable. Stories stick longer than stats.
13. What can Olympians teach us about safety performance?
Use this fun comparison to highlight mindset, focus, and preparation.
Interesting read: https://ldn.com.au/blog/what-can-olympians-teach-us-about-high-performance
14. Using your ears: listening for safety
Focus on active listening skills to improve hazard reporting and team connection. Listening is a safety skill!
15. Understanding emotional intelligence (EQ)
Explore what EQ is and how it improves team dynamics, reduces conflict, and helps leaders respond better during incidents.
16. Visible and invisible risks
Reframe safety as more than just physical. Talk about emotional harm, mental load, and long-term stress.
See: https://ldn.com.au/blog/visible-and-invisible-risks-in-the-workplace-managing-psychosocial-hazards-at-work
17. Supporting apprentices in WHS
Discuss how to bring new workers into the safety culture from day one. Tailor talks for younger or less experienced team members.
See more: https://ldn.com.au/blog/why-train-apprentices-in-whs
18. Getting buy-in for safety initiatives
Share strategies for building ownership and reducing resistance to new procedures or tools.
Useful: https://ldn.com.au/blog/getting-buy-in-for-new-policies-and-procedures
19. Contractor safety 101
Remind teams how to engage and communicate safely with contractors, especially on shared sites.
Helpful guide: https://ldn.com.au/blog/our-top-tips-for-working-successfully-with-contractors
20. Why is speaking up during toolbox talks important?
Talk about how toolbox talks should encourage everyone to speak up, share ideas, and tell stories. Toolbox talks should be conversations, not just checklists.
21. Why hydration matters
Talk about hydration’s impact on decision-making, heat stress, and fatigue. Tie in with discussions around fatigue prevention strategies.
You can also share this printable infographic: https://ldn.com.au/blog/why-hydration-matters-at-work
22. Supporting teams through traumatic events
Prepare teams for how to respond to critical incidents. Normalize the use of professional help and peer support after difficult or traumatic workplace events.
Read more: https://ldn.com.au/blog/how-to-support-your-staff-through-traumatic-events
23. When WHS training fails – and how to fix it
Talk about how good training is practical, relevant, and designed to stick. Use examples of successful vs. ineffective safety training approaches.
Explore this: https://ldn.com.au/blog/why-does-some-training-just-work-the-role-of-instructional-design
24. Core values and their role in safety
Discuss how workplace values shape safe behaviour. Invite the team to reflect on how values like respect or accountability influence how they approach safety.
Related: https://ldn.com.au/blog/values-that-drive-ldn-and-how-to-create-your-own-core-values
25. How do we learn best? Understanding instructional design
Explain how adults learn best through practical, scenario-based approaches—and how that should shape your safety talks and training. Help leaders become more effective trainers.
26. What can we learn from safety data?
Use current Safe Work Australia stats to highlight trends in injuries, mental health claims, or industry-specific risks. Encourage data-driven safety decisions.
Article here: https://ldn.com.au/blog/key-work-health-and-safety-statistics-australia-2024
27. What’s the emotional load on leaders?
Leaders often carry the emotional burdens of their teams. Toolbox talks can be a space to discuss mental health support for those responsible for others.
28. EQ for better team safety
Explore how emotional intelligence—like self-awareness and empathy—helps prevent conflict, improve reporting, and boost psychological safety on teams.
29. Culture and safety leadership
Reinforce that safety culture isn’t just policy—it’s how leaders act, listen, and respond. Discuss ways your team can model leadership at every level.
See this: https://ldn.com.au/blog/how-culture-surveys-transform-safety-and-leadership-in-the-workplace
30. How can we make our toolbox talks stick?
Wrap up by asking your team what makes a great safety conversation. Encourage rotating facilitators, visual aids, real stories, and interactive sessions.
See: https://ldn.com.au/blog/how-to-run-an-effective-toolbox-or-pre-start-meeting
