Stretching and Warm-Up Programs

Talking points

1. Pre-shift stretching prepares muscles and joints for physical work, reducing the risk of strains, sprains, and pulls — especially in cold weather when muscles are tight.
2. Focus on the muscle groups you will use most: hamstrings and lower back for lifting, shoulders and forearms for overhead work, wrists for tool use, and calves for ladder climbing.
3. Hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds without bouncing. Bouncing causes the muscle to tighten rather than lengthen, increasing the risk of a strain.
4. Stretching is most effective when muscles are warm. A few minutes of light movement (walking, arm swings) before stretching improves flexibility and reduces injury risk.
5. Consistency matters more than intensity. A 5-minute daily stretching routine is more effective at preventing injuries than a 30-minute session once a week.

Ask the crew

Let's do a 3-minute stretch together right now — shoulders, back, hamstrings, and wrists. Follow along.

Standards this talk is built on

• Section 5(a)(1)

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

Sign-in sheet

Print this page to collect signatures, or run the talk in Jobsite and workers sign in on their phones.

© Jobsite. Free to read aloud, print and use in your own crew's safety meetings. Republishing, reselling or bulk-copying these talks is not permitted.