Breaking down language barriers in the construction industry
Published Thursday, 15 November, 2007 at 11:02 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) is embarking on a project to improve communication of workplace health and safety laws and risks to non-English speaking construction workers.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said that the communication of potential dangers on construction sites can be difficult because of language barriers.
“We have been made aware by industry that some workers on construction projects have been unable to effectively communicate risk or danger to their colleagues,” Mr Mickel said.
“This needs to be addressed as more construction companies now engage workers from
non-English speaking backgrounds in response to Queensland’s rapid growth.”
“As the first step in the project, WHSQ has developed two surveys, for principal contactors and employers, to identify to what extent language is a problem in communicating on construction sites.”
Mr Mickel said WHSQ wants to establish through the surveys the number and ethnicity of non-English speaking workers in Queensland, the need to translate WHSQ construction safety information, and whether safety workshops are needed for companies with non-English speaking workers.
“WHSQ will use the information gathered in the surveys and consultation with industry groups to determine whether there is a need for an education program and special safety guidance materials for principal contractors, employers and non-English speaking workers,” he said.
“I urge employers and principal contractors in the industry to complete a survey. It only takes a few minutes and this safety initiative may turn out to be of benefit to their workplace as well as to the whole industry.”
The surveys can be completed online at www.deir.qld.gov.au until Friday 30 November 2007 or by telephone the WHSQ Construction Strategy Group on (07) 3247 9134.
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
November 15, 2007
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said that the communication of potential dangers on construction sites can be difficult because of language barriers.
“We have been made aware by industry that some workers on construction projects have been unable to effectively communicate risk or danger to their colleagues,” Mr Mickel said.
“This needs to be addressed as more construction companies now engage workers from
non-English speaking backgrounds in response to Queensland’s rapid growth.”
“As the first step in the project, WHSQ has developed two surveys, for principal contactors and employers, to identify to what extent language is a problem in communicating on construction sites.”
Mr Mickel said WHSQ wants to establish through the surveys the number and ethnicity of non-English speaking workers in Queensland, the need to translate WHSQ construction safety information, and whether safety workshops are needed for companies with non-English speaking workers.
“WHSQ will use the information gathered in the surveys and consultation with industry groups to determine whether there is a need for an education program and special safety guidance materials for principal contractors, employers and non-English speaking workers,” he said.
“I urge employers and principal contractors in the industry to complete a survey. It only takes a few minutes and this safety initiative may turn out to be of benefit to their workplace as well as to the whole industry.”
The surveys can be completed online at www.deir.qld.gov.au until Friday 30 November 2007 or by telephone the WHSQ Construction Strategy Group on (07) 3247 9134.
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
November 15, 2007