LANDSCAPE ONTARIO – WORKPLACE SAFETY TAILGATE TALKS
46 © 2026, WSPS.CA
Be familiar with the potential hazards of the task and how you
would react to various emergencies before starting.
If you or a co-worker are feeling fatigued, inform the
supervisor immediately.
Avoid using machinery, driving or power tools if you
are feeling fatigued.
Ensure to get an average of 7-8 hours of undisturbed
sleep every day, there is no replacement for sleep.
ACTION!
Demonstrate reaction time with your crew using a regular ruler. Follow
these instructions:
1. Ask a worker to stand directly in front of you.
2. You will hold a ruler so it dangles above their hand. Make sure the end
of the ruler is hanging between their thumb and finger.
3. When you let go of the ruler, the worker will try to catch it between
their thumb and finger as quickly as they can.
4. Compare the marking on the ruler where your fingers caught it to the
reaction time chart. Your reaction time is how long it took for your
eyes to tell your brain the ruler was falling and then for your brain to
tell your fingers to catch it.
REACTION TIME CHART
Note your reaction time decreases significantly the more tired
you are.
DISTANCE ON RULER REACTION TIME
5 centimetres .10 seconds
10 centimetres .14 seconds
15 centimetres .18 seconds
20 centimetres .20 seconds
25 centimetres .23 seconds
30 centimetres .25 seconds
