Full Issue (17 MB) - Pile Driving Contractors Association

THE BUSINESS OF BUSINESS
THE BUSINESS OF BUSINESS
Safety: The Universal Language?
Safety:
Literacy
The
and
Universal
Language
Language?
Challenges
Literacy in the Workplace and Language Challenges
in the Workplace
By Mark A. Lies II and Elizabeth Leifel Ash
By Mark A. Lies II and Elizabeth Leifel Ash
As the American “melting pot” becomes increasingly diversified,
employers face inevitable issues related to language in the
As the American “melting pot” becomes increasingly diversified,
workplace. Employers can no longer assume that qualified
employers face inevitable issues related to language in the
workers speak or write English. Employers who hire workers that do
workplace. Employers can no longer assume that qualified
not speak English are obligated to ensure that all employees, regardless
workers speak or write English. Employers who hire workers that do
of their linguistic background, receive and comprehend safety-related
not speak English are obligated to ensure that all employees, regardless
training. For employers whose supervisors only speak English, the
of their linguistic background, receive and comprehend safety-related
requirements set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
training. For employers whose supervisors only speak English, the
(OSHA) can present unique challenges. This article outlines OSHA’s
requirements set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
policies with respect to training non-English-speaking employees, and
(OSHA) can present unique challenges. This article outlines OSHA’s
offers recommendations for employers in assuring that all employees
policies with respect to training non-English-speaking employees, and
are adequately trained to work safely.
offers recommendations for employers in assuring that all employees
are OSHA’S adequately TRAINING trained REQUIREMENTS
to work safely.
Numerous OSHA standards, from lockout/tagout to forklift operation
and bloodborne pathogens to hazard communication, require
OSHA’S TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Numerous OSHA standards, from lockout/tagout to forklift operation
and bloodborne pathogens to hazard communication, require
employers to train or instruct employees in some way. OSHA generally
treats its training requirements as performance-based, meaning that
employers to train or instruct employees in some way. OSHA generally
OSHA defers to each individual employer to fashion the most effective
manner to accomplish the goal of the standard. For that reason,
treats its training requirements as performance-based, meaning that
OSHA defers to each individual employer to fashion the most effective
manner to accomplish the goal of the standard. For that reason,
none of OSHA’s training standards require employers to use particular
documents, teaching methods or language to train employees. Instead,
none of OSHA’s training standards require employers to use particular
OSHA requires employers to present information in a manner that
documents, teaching methods or language to train employees. Instead,
employees are capable of understanding. For example, if an employee
OSHA requires employers to present information in a manner that
is not literate, the employer does not satisfy OSHA training requirements
merely by telling the employee to read training materials or
employees are capable of understanding. For example, if an employee
is not literate, the employer does not satisfy OSHA training requirements
merely by telling the employee to read training materials or
review safety programs. Likewise, if an employee does not speak, read
or understand English, training must be provided in a language the
review safety programs. Likewise, if an employee does not speak, read
employee understands.
or understand English, training must be provided in a language the
employee understands.
REPRINTED FROM CONCRETE OPENINGS | VOL.18 | NUM.3 | SEPTEMBER 2009