Young Workers, Apprentices and Trainees in Schools and Learning Environments Toolbox Talk

This young workers, apprentices and trainees toolbox talk template is designed for school leaders, line managers and supervisors who oversee young people in work‑experience placements, workshops and training environments. It provides a concise, plain‑English briefing that highlights the specific hazards young workers face, the legal responsibilities under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and practical steps to control risk.

The talk covers key hazards such as slips, trips and falls, manual handling injuries, exposure to hazardous substances and unsafe use of machinery. It references HSE guidance for young workers, ensuring legal compliance.

• Use this toolbox talk for: induction programmes, daily briefings and safety audits for apprentices.
• Use this toolbox talk for: risk assessment reviews involving young staff.
• Use this toolbox talk for: training sessions on safe manual handling and PPE use.

Each section includes a purpose, what the work involves, why the hazards matter, practical do’s and don’ts, and an important summary.

Fully editable and shareable, the template can be customised to suit your organisation’s specific processes and integrated into existing health and safety training programmes, providing a consistent framework for supervising young workers across all school activities.

Regular review of the toolbox talk ensures it remains up‑to‑date with evolving guidance and emerging risks. Supervisors should record any incidents or near‑misses and use this information to refine training and control measures, supporting a proactive safety culture.

Compliant with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.