A short safety briefing conducted at the job site, often literally gathered around the back of a work truck or apparatus. Crews use these meetings to review the specific hazards of the day, establish communication plans, and ensure everyone understands the operational goals before deploying. It serves as a final check to align the team on situational awareness and emergency protocols.
Heard on the job
Grab your gear and gather round the rig, we're doing a quick tailgate before we start cutting line.
Insider tip
A good tailgate is interactive rather than a lecture; seasoned crew bosses will ask junior members to point out the escape routes to verify they are paying attention.
Also heard as
- tailgate meeting
- toolbox talk