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Construction sites worldwide are renowned for employing workers where multiple languages are spoken, and this presents a challenge with regards to safety, integration, and efficiency. In the UK, workers from non-English backgrounds are more likely to be involved in accidents than those who have English as a first language or who are proficient in English. 66% of all migrant worker accidents/deaths were reported to have occurred in the construction industry, according to a CCA (Centre for Corporate Accountability) report written by Irwin Mitchell.
Whilst there are no precise figures for the number of migrant workers currently in the UK workforce, the most recent Labour Force Survey (LFS) shows that migrant workers in London make up around 46%, followed by East of England at 16% and South-East England at 12%, with the construction industry workforce as a whole accounting for approximately 14% of workers born outside the UK.
It is believed that speaking English fluently is crucial to the integration and well-being of migrants. The negative impact from inadequate communication raises the likelihood of mishaps & injuries by hindering teamwork & the development of productive site and safety cultures.
Construction Design and Management regulations state that, irrespective of the employment relationship with migrant workers, clients and principal contractors have a duty to take care of migrant workers while they are on site. They have a duty to provide pre-construction information & this may include the need to consider the special risks of using migrant workers on the project. However, the efficacy of health and safety training and instructions provided in English, whether verbally or in writing may be compromised by migrant workers’ limited proficiency in the language.
Although there are less administrative resources available to learn languages in the construction industry, it is still advantageous and vital to invest in language training. In order to ensure overall safety, how businesses handle language barriers can be crucial as language is a major factor in reducing risks and hazards.
The Alertex Voice Annunciator is here to help tackle this language barrier issue. This adaptable wireless speaker is rapidly deployable, and battery powered so is perfect for construction sites where power is often compromised. Any number of safety messages can be recorded in multiple languages to aid the workforce and comply with CDM regulations. The Alertex range also includes combined Fire and First Aid devices where multiple language messages can also be recorded. The line-of-sight transmission range is a kilometre, and devices can be centrally monitored via the Alertex Bridge which also reports battery status and signal strength as well as informing key personnel via email or text of alert events.