Managing Under-18s and Junior Gym Users Toolbox Talk

This Managing Under‑18s and Junior Gym Users toolbox talk is designed for gym, pool and leisure facility staff who work with children and teenagers. It highlights key hazards such as equipment misuse, unsupervised access, drowning risk and safeguarding concerns, and references the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Children Act 1989 and the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) standards.

The talk provides practical steps for verifying age and consent, delivering pre‑session safety briefings, assigning qualified supervisors, restricting high‑risk equipment, maintaining appropriate pool supervision ratios, and implementing a clear incident reporting pathway.

Regular equipment safety checks, age‑appropriate instruction techniques and parental involvement are also covered, ensuring a comprehensive approach to youth safety.

Using this toolbox talk helps your team meet statutory duties, protect young members from injury and abuse, and demonstrate compliance during audits. It supports a proactive safety culture, reduces incident rates and ensures that any safeguarding concerns are identified and acted upon promptly.

Fully editable and shareable – adapt the placeholders to your policies and branding.

• Use this toolbox talk for: staff induction, youth programme training and refresher sessions.
• Covering: age verification, consent, supervision ratios, equipment restrictions, incident reporting and safeguarding.
• Includes: clear do and don’t lists, important reminders and concise purpose.
• Benefits: improves safety culture, lowers injury numbers, provides compliance evidence.
• Key outcomes: reduced injuries, better supervision, robust safeguarding records.

Compliant with: Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974; Children Act 1989; Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999; Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) standards.