French Labor and Education Ministers Launch Flash Mission to Strengthen Safety Conditions in Schools and Workplaces

The French government has launched a flash mission to strengthen safety conditions for student internships in companies following the death of a 15-year-old high school student during an observation internship at a construction site in Bagnols-sur-Cèze.

The student, who was in his second year of secondary education, died on Friday, April 17, 2026, after being crushed by a forklift at a building and public works (BTP) company where he was completing his mandatory two-week internship. The incident occurred just days before the government’s announcement.

Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou and Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced the joint initiative on Thursday, April 23, 2026, stating that the mission would be led by the general inspections of social affairs and education. The ministers emphasized that preventing serious and fatal workplace accidents, particularly among young people who are considered especially vulnerable, is a government priority.

According to Minister Farandou, the mission aims to address gaps in current safety protocols, noting that “there are probably things that are not yet fully known” from the companies’ side regarding the supervision of minor students in professional environments.

Minister Geffray echoed this concern, stating on RMC radio that “there are probably things to fix, as proven by the fact that a tragedy could occur.” He reminded that students on observation internships “can only ask questions” and are not permitted to perform any work-related tasks.

The flash mission comes amid existing requirements for student internships in France. Since 2005, all ninth-grade students (troisième) have been required to complete a five-day observation internship in a company. Since 2024, tenth-grade students (seconde) in general and technological tracks must undertake a mandatory two-week internship.

The incident in Bagnols-sur-Cèze, located in the Gard department near Nîmes, has prompted renewed scrutiny over how companies host and supervise minor students during these educational placements, particularly in high-risk sectors such as construction and public works.

The government has not disclosed the timeline or specific methodologies of the flash mission, but officials said it will focus on improving the security framework for minors in professional settings to prevent similar incidents in the future.