Identifying Harassment Toolbox Talk

Harassment on a jobsite can show up as repeated comments, insults, jokes, intimidation, threats, unwanted attention, offensive messages, or behavior that targets a worker or makes them feel unsafe. It can happen between coworkers, supervisors, subcontractors, visitors, customers, tenants, or members of the public.

This talk focuses on how to identify harassment early and what workers should do when they see it or experience it. The goal is to stop harmful behavior before it leads to fear, distraction, retaliation, or workplace violence.

Why This Matters

• Harassment can distract workers around tools, equipment, ladders, lifts, trenches, traffic, energized systems, and suspended loads.
• Workers who are targeted may stop asking questions, reporting hazards, or speaking up when something is wrong.
• Repeated harassment can turn into threats, bullying, retaliation, fights, or workers leaving the jobsite.
• Harassment affects the whole crew, not just the person being targeted.
• Identifying harassment early helps supervision respond before the situation gets worse.

Common Hazards

• Repeated jokes, comments, slurs, insults, or name-calling directed at a worker or group.
• Unwanted comments about someone’s body, personal life, race, sex, age, religion, disability, language, background, or appearance.
• Threats, intimidation, aggressive body language, or behavior meant to scare or control someone.
• Unwanted touching, blocking someone’s path, standing too close, or invading personal space.
• Harassing texts, calls, photos, videos, emails, or social media posts tied to work.
• Retaliation after a worker reports harassment, refuses unsafe work, or asks for help.
• Supervisors, leads, or experienced workers using harassment to pressure, shame, or control the crew.
• A worker being targeted because they are new, temporary, alone, do not speak the same first language, or are afraid to speak up.

Safety Checklist

Before Work Begins

• Set the expectation that harassment, threats, bullying, and retaliation are not accepted on this jobsite.
• Make sure workers know who to report harassment to, including the foreman, superintendent, safety contact, HR, or company contact.
• Review how to make a private report away from the crew if needed.
• Watch for work areas where workers are isolated, outnumbered, or away from supervision.
• Make sure new workers, apprentices, temporary workers, and subcontractors know they can speak up without retaliation.

During Work

• Do not ignore harassment because it is called joking, teasing, or normal jobsite talk.
• Stop offensive comments, intimidation, or unwanted behavior when it is safe to do so.
• Report harassment that continues, escalates, or makes someone feel unsafe.
• Do not share, forward, laugh at, or record harassing messages, photos, or videos.
• Keep the targeted worker separated from the person involved when needed.
• Save texts, photos, voicemails, emails, or other evidence if it is safe to do so.
• Protect workers from retaliation after they report a concern or support someone else’s report.

Crew Talking Points

• What is the difference between joking around and harassment?
• What types of comments or behavior should not be accepted on this jobsite?
• Who should workers contact if harassment comes from a supervisor, lead, customer, tenant, or another trade?
• How can nearby workers help without making the situation worse?
• Where can someone go to make a private report?
• Does anyone have a question, concern, or harassment issue they need to raise before work starts?

Stop Work If

• Harassment turns into threats, intimidation, stalking, or aggressive behavior.
• A worker feels unsafe continuing work because of another person’s words or actions.
• Someone blocks a worker’s path, invades their space, or refuses to leave them alone.
• Retaliation happens after a worker reports harassment or supports a report.
• A conflict distracts workers near equipment, ladders, scaffolds, trenches, traffic, energized systems, or suspended loads.
• A weapon is seen, mentioned, suspected, or brought onto the jobsite.

Final Reminder

Harassment is a safety issue. Identify it early, report it clearly, and protect workers from threats, retaliation, and harm.