Risky business: the role of multilingual health and safety training in high-harm industries

Workers in the construction, fishing and mining industries are at greater risk of workplace harm than those in other industries, according to the latest World Risk Poll published by the Lloyds Register Foundation earlier this month (October).

It found that around one in four workers in the fishing and construction industries, and one in five in the mining industry, have been harmed at work in the past two years.

Under-reporting workplace harm

The report, which is based on almost 147,000 interviews in 142 countries, also found that half of all cases of workplace harm go unreported to a manager, supervisor or health/social services. Workers aged 50 to 64 years and those employed on a part-time or self-employed basis are less likely to report harm than their counterparts.

So too, are those working within the manufacturing industry or living in Central Asia.

• The reasons for under-reporting are well-documented and include factors such as fear of reprisal or job loss, lack of regulatory knowledge, and production pressures.

But underreporting can severely disadvantage businesses by hindering their ability to accurately identify, monitor, and assess workplace risks, and protect their workforce.

The role of health and safety training

One way reporting rates can be improved is through regular occupational safety and health (OSH) training.

However, the World Risk Poll has found that a significant section of the global workforce currently lacks adequate safety training, with most workers in agriculture, market services, and construction having never received any training.

Yet workers who receive training are more than three times more likely to report harm at work than those who do not, highlighting the important role OSH training plays in fostering a safety culture which helps workers to recognise hazards and businesses to reduce risks.

The impact of language and communication barriers

Language barriers can make safety training a challenge. In a webinar to mark the launch of the World Risk Poll, expert panellists highlighted the prevalence of international workers’ precarious situations, one of them being the barrier to understanding and recognising workplace risk.

In some cases, workers (such as those in low-to middle-income countries) ‘normalise’ the level of risk to which they are exposed.

• This suggests that a holistic, integrative and innovative training solution is needed to help these workers identify hazards.

When it comes to occupational health and safety training a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t necessarily the best approach. Experts note that workers often learn in different ways, with practical onsite training sometimes more effective than lectures for people working in certain industries and roles.

Listening to workers, understanding the tools they need to be successful, and adapting training to meet their specific requirements is important. Often, they like training best in their native language.

The power of machine translation

With an increasing array of tools and techniques available on the market, training doesn’t have to be expensive to be fit-for-purpose and accessible. GAI Translate™ offers a promising approach to enhance workplace safety.

By providing timely and precise translations of training materials, safety manuals and communication tools, GAI enables companies to bridge the language gap and improve understanding among workers.

Key advantages of GAI Translate™ in improving workers’ safety:

• Improved communication: GAI can facilitate clear and effective communication between workers and supervisors, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and misinterpretations.
• Enhanced training: By translating training materials into multiple languages, GAI can ensure that all workers have access to the information they need to perform their jobs safely.
• Increased reporting: GAI can empower workers to report unsafe conditions or concerns by providing a reliable means of communication.
• Reduced accidents: By addressing language barriers, GAI can help to prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace.

Conclusion

The latest World Risk Poll report underscores the need for improved workplace safety, particularly in industries like construction, mining and manufacturing. Language barriers can exacerbate these challenges, but GAI machine translation offers a promising solution.

By providing access to safety information in multiple languages, GAI Translate™ can help to enhance training, improve communication, and ultimately, reduce accidents and injuries in the workplace.

Get in touch to discover how machine translation can support your health and safety training needs.