Toolbox Talk - February 17, 2026

Last week at Pine Energy, our scheduled toolbox talk was about securing loads and using spotters during delivery and material movement.

When materials are delivered to a job site, risk enters with them. Loads can shift. Equipment can be overloaded. Operators can lose visibility. Workers who are not involved in unloading can drift too close.

Accidents associated with these incidents are preventable, and we emphasized three simple disciplines.

First, evaluate every delivery before unloading. Where will the materials land? Who is in the area? What is the ground condition? Is the equipment rated for the load?

Second, load for balance. Distribute weight evenly. Keep materials level. Inspect equipment before use. Choose the right machine for the job. Rushing this step creates risk that compounds quickly.

Third, use a spotter. A spotter is not decoration. A spotter is a second set of eyes and ears. Backing trucks. Operating telehandlers. Working near power lines. Moving through pedestrian or high traffic areas. A spotter adds safety in the instance that an operator cannot see everything clearly. The spotter must maintain constant communication.

These are not dramatic hazards. They are routine hazards. That is what makes them dangerous.

In construction, serious incidents often begin with something ordinary. A delivery. A backing truck. A lift that felt manageable.

Safety in these moments is not about slogans. It is about discipline. Clear the area. Secure the load. Use the spotter. Slow is smooth. Smooth is safe. Safe is productive.

Every successful project is built on thousands of ordinary decisions made correctly.