Disclaimer: We respect your privacy and do not retain any generated PDF documents or policy amendments. Once you leave this page, all changes will be lost. We recommend that all policies are reviewed by the relevant HSEQ Manager or legal team before circulation. Remember to download and save your documents, as we can’t recover them. If you have any questions, please contact us.Â
Fitness to Work on National Highways Toolbox Talk: Ensuring a Safe, Capable Workforce in Highways Operations
The Fitness to Work on National Highways Toolbox Talk provides essential guidance on assessing and maintaining workers’ physical and mental fitness for tasks in high-risk highways environments. This document has been developed in line with Raising the Bar 12 (RTB12) and follows UK health and safety regulations such as the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and HSE guidance on fitness for safety-critical work. It helps businesses implement processes to evaluate worker fitness, reduce workplace risks, and promote overall wellbeing.
Fitness to work is a critical safety factor in traffic management and highways projects, where tasks often involve heavy machinery, live traffic conditions, and physical labour. This toolbox talk covers the key components of work fitness, including physical capability, mental alertness, and freedom from substance impairment. It also addresses external factors such as fatigue, medication use, and stress that can compromise worker performance and increase the risk of incidents.
The document explains employer responsibilities under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, including conducting fitness assessments and implementing suitable controls when workers are deemed temporarily or permanently unfit for certain tasks. It outlines the importance of regular health checks for workers involved in safety-critical roles such as plant operators, traffic marshals, and highways maintenance crews. In line with Raising the Bar 12, the talk also emphasises the importance of confidential reporting mechanisms for workers to disclose health concerns without fear of stigma.
Simplifying Toolbox Talk Creation with Our Online Generator
Our online document generator makes it quick and straightforward to create customised toolbox talks like this one. By entering project-specific details, you can generate a professional, compliant document in minutes—ensuring consistent, high-quality safety communication across your sites.
Useful Resources and Links
Traffic Signs Manual – Chapter 8: Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual
Safety at Street Works and Road Works (The Red Book):
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safety-at-street-works-and-road-works
HSE Guidance on Fitness for Safety-Critical Work:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-related-health/fitness-for-work.htm
