Stop Work Authority — Every Worker's Right

Talking points

1. Every worker has the right — and the responsibility — to stop work when they believe conditions are unsafe. This applies regardless of their position, trade, or employer.
2. Stop work authority is not limited to imminent danger. If something does not look right, feel right, or match the plan, stopping work to assess is the correct action.
3. No one should ever be punished, disciplined, or retaliated against for exercising stop work authority in good faith. If you experience retaliation, report it to your safety manager or OSHA.
4. When you stop work, explain your concern calmly and specifically. 'I don't think the shoring is right for this soil type' is more actionable than 'this doesn't look safe.'
5. A culture where stop work authority is respected is a culture where people go home every night. The hardest part is speaking up the first time — after that, it becomes normal.

Ask the crew

Has anyone on this crew ever stopped work because of a safety concern — what happened, and was the concern addressed?

Standards this talk is built on

• 29 CFR 1926.20

A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.

Sign-in sheet

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