Vehicle Safety · 2–5 min toolbox talk
Emergency Roadside Breakdowns
A safety talk focused on roadside breakdown hazards, including traffic exposure, warning devices, vehicle placement, emergency communication, high-visibility clothing, and deciding when to stay in the vehicle.
Use this printed script for your tailgate or toolbox talk. Read through the hazards, script, and questions with your crew.
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“Emergency Roadside Breakdowns”
Key Hazards
- Workers struck by passing traffic
- Vehicles stopped in unsafe or low-visibility locations
- Poor use of warning lights, cones, triangles, or flares
- Drivers exiting into traffic lanes
- Secondary crashes from distracted or speeding drivers
- Delayed emergency communication or unclear location information
2–3 Minute Talk Script
Roadside breakdowns can become dangerous quickly because workers may be exposed to traffic while dealing with a disabled vehicle.
The first priority is to get the vehicle to the safest available location if it can be moved. Shoulders, parking lots, side streets, and well-lit areas are usually safer than travel lanes.
Hazard lights should be activated as soon as possible. Warning devices such as cones, triangles, strobes, or flares should be used according to procedure and only when they can be placed safely.
Workers should think carefully before exiting the vehicle. If traffic is close, visibility is poor, or the vehicle is in a live lane, staying inside with seat belt fastened may be safer until help arrives.
High-visibility clothing should be worn if workers must exit near traffic.
Workers should exit on the side away from traffic when possible and stay away from the traffic side of the vehicle.
Emergency calls should include the exact location, direction of travel, vehicle description, lane position, injuries, and any hazardous conditions.
Safe roadside breakdown response depends on vehicle placement, visibility, warning devices, communication, and avoiding unnecessary exposure to traffic.
Safety Reminders
- Move to the safest available location if possible.
- Activate hazard lights immediately.
- Use warning devices only when safe to place them.
- Wear high-visibility clothing near traffic.
- Exit away from traffic when possible.
- Stay out of travel lanes and blind spots.
- Communicate location and hazards clearly when calling for help.
Ask the Crew
- Can the vehicle be moved to a safer location?
- Is it safer to stay inside the vehicle or exit?
- What warning devices are available?
- Can warning devices be placed without entering traffic?
- What exact location information should be given to responders?