Breaking The Language Barrier:

Giving Instructions in a Language Workers Understand

According to OSHA regulations, “an employer must instruct its employees using both a language and vocabulary that the employees can understand.” That means a non-English speaking person cannot be instructed in English. This also applies to employees who are illiterate or have difficulty reading written instructions, and to people who have hearing or verbal disabilities.

If members of your workforce don’t speak or read English, or if they suffer from verbal disabilities, you may have wondered how to properly train them for their work. Martin Supply Safety Instructor Malcolm Ritchie, QSSP, HMTRI, says that employers are required to accommodate the worker in these cases.

“If you hire an employee that cannot read, you may have to train them orally. And if there is a written exam, it would have to be given as an oral exam,” Ritchie say. “You just have to be confident that they can do their work safely.”

If a worker is injured on the job without proper instructions in a language they understand, it can result in heavy fines for the employer. You may also be required to show documentation proving that they received instruction from an OSHA-certified instructor.

SAFETY RESOURCES FOR BREAKING LANGUAGE BARRIERS IN THE WORKPLACE

OSHA has several online resources for Spanish-speaking people to help explain workers’ rights and general safety topics. It is also common for instruction manuals to be printed in both English and Spanish, which are the two most common languages in the United States.

OSHA COMPLIANCE & SAFETY TRAINING

For other non-English speaking people, it may be necessary for the employer to hire a third-party translation service. Translation can typically be done virtually or over the phone, as well as in-person. In any case, the employer must make sure that the employee has a complete understanding of the safety guidelines and protocols.

If you’d like to learn more about OSHA requirements or sign up for safety trainings, Martin has OSHA-certified Safety Professionals who can help. To learn more, contact your Martin Sales Rep or call 800.828.8116.