Risk assessments/LWI's & Language barriers
Discussion
Hi all,
we've recently taken over a contract which involved Tupe and over 500 new staff. The majority of these have a very poor understanding of the English language and although this is not a requirement to do the job we need to cover off the need for them to be able to access Risk assessments and local working instructions as part of the ISO9001 and other requirements.
We can't print anything because then there is version control issues - and they're all over the country - around 300 locations..
How does everyone else do it?
we've recently taken over a contract which involved Tupe and over 500 new staff. The majority of these have a very poor understanding of the English language and although this is not a requirement to do the job we need to cover off the need for them to be able to access Risk assessments and local working instructions as part of the ISO9001 and other requirements.
We can't print anything because then there is version control issues - and they're all over the country - around 300 locations..
How does everyone else do it?
KevinCamaroSS said:
Your processes and procedures should reference the relevant documentation with links so they can view them online. If necessary you could have other language versions of the same documents.
There are around 30 languages and they are not allowed electronic devices. I don't think we can rely legally on them using their personal kit to access it.Automatic translation seems flawed based on google translate's output - Also, given how important risk assessments are around COSHH we can't afford to have a 'lost in translation' moment.
We also have an issue where we don't want to spend more money on the solution than the profit in the contract... :/
55palfers said:
How did their previous employer overcome these obstacles?
What industry / business is it?
Great one this - they printed it in English, put it in a big folder, showed them on induction / change of document, flicked through it for them and then go them to sign the 'I've read and understood it' bit regardless of if they did or didn't.What industry / business is it?
Industry (if not obvious) is cleaning
Given what you have added I suggest your best course of action is to:
1) Ensure all necessary documents are fully updated
2) Get all of them properly translated into the required languages
3) Print them all with a watermark saying "This document is not controlled if printed" or similar
4) Distribute them as required
I am fully aware that this will cost a lot, however, it will be less than being found guilty under H&S regulations.
1) Ensure all necessary documents are fully updated
2) Get all of them properly translated into the required languages
3) Print them all with a watermark saying "This document is not controlled if printed" or similar
4) Distribute them as required
I am fully aware that this will cost a lot, however, it will be less than being found guilty under H&S regulations.
We have similar issues, (Oil construction), all procedures are in English all safety bulletins in English, (we are not based in England) all explained at a start up safety induction in various languages, (we have enough to do English Monday, Chinese Tuesday etc) and a requirement that supervisors speak English, bulletins etc are passed down at daily tool box briefing in the workers language by the supervisors.
This works and meets legal requirements in country, may not meet UK Law
This works and meets legal requirements in country, may not meet UK Law
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