In this article
OSHA and NIOSH provide free safety videos you can use to introduce a hazard or support a toolbox talk. Choose a video that matches your crew’s work, then connect it to the equipment, procedures and conditions on your job.
The links below take you to official government pages. These are educational resources, not courses that automatically award a training credential. Watching a video alone does not establish that a worker has completed every applicable training requirement.
Free safety videos by work activity
Floor openings and fall hazards
OSHA’s Floor Openings prevention video uses a construction incident to explain a fall hazard. It is a useful starting point when your crew works around openings or a changing work surface.
After viewing, ask the crew to identify where similar hazards could occur on the current job. Have the person responsible for fall protection explain the controls and procedures that apply there. A discussion about a video should lead back to the actual work area.
Trenching and excavation
Use OSHA’s Trenching prevention video when preparing a discussion about excavation hazards. Review it before the meeting so you can explain how the example relates to the planned work.
Bring the job’s excavation procedures into the discussion. Direct questions about protective systems, site conditions and inspections to the person responsible for those decisions. A short general video cannot evaluate a particular excavation.
Ladders near overhead power lines
OSHA’s Work Safely with Ladders Near Power Lines video focuses on an electrical hazard that can be missed during routine setup.
Use the discussion to review where ladders will be moved and used on your job. Workers should know who to contact when they find a power-line hazard or cannot follow the planned procedure. Check the applicable requirements and job instructions before work starts.
Portable gas-powered equipment
OSHA’s Portable Gas-Powered Equipment video addresses carbon monoxide hazards in construction. Choose this topic when crews use fuel-powered tools or equipment.
Ask which equipment on your job creates a similar concern and who reviews its planned use. Work through the actual procedure with your safety lead; a location that looks different from the video can still need attention.
Nail gun safety
NIOSH’s Nail Gun Safety page includes the Know Your Nailer video and related guidance for construction contractors. Its discussion of trigger types is useful when crews use different nailers.
Pair the video with the instructions for the tools your employees use. Have the appropriate trainer explain the operating procedures and provide any required practice or evaluation. Keep questions about a particular tool tied to its manufacturer instructions.
Choose a video your crew can use
Start with a task on the upcoming schedule or a hazard raised by a worker. A familiar example gives people something specific to discuss.
Preview the whole video. Check its publication date, language and suitability for the audience. OSHA notes that some construction prevention videos portray fatal incidents and may be disturbing. Consider that before showing them.
Older footage can help explain a hazard, but your discussion still needs current requirements and procedures. OSHA’s broader video library provides additional topics and language options. Confirm the particular version you plan to use.
Turn the video into a useful toolbox talk
Give the meeting leader the relevant written procedure beforehand. After viewing, ask workers where the hazard appears on their job and what they should do if conditions change. Allow time for questions and correct misunderstandings before anyone returns to the task.
Record what you covered using your company’s process. Useful details include the video title, date, attendees, discussion topics and follow-up actions. Record additional demonstrations or evaluations separately when required. Attendance by itself does not show that someone can perform a task safely.
OSHA’s Training Requirements and Resources page links to training requirements by standard. Use the requirements that apply to the work when planning training and records.
Frequently asked questions
Are these safety videos free?
The linked OSHA and NIOSH materials are publicly available without buying a CMS service. Their pages provide the videos or links to the agencies’ video players. Preview access before a meeting so an internet or playback problem does not interrupt it.
Does watching a video complete required safety training?
Not automatically. Training requirements depend on the work and applicable rules. Workers may need instruction about their equipment and site, hands-on practice, an evaluation or other steps. Have the person responsible for training confirm what is required.
Can CMS help with the written programs used alongside a video?
CMS helps contractors prepare and update safety manuals and written programs within an agreed scope. Your company remains responsible for training workers and putting its procedures into practice. If a written-program request needs attention, send us a brief description.