How to stop safety getting lost in translation

The UK construction industry relies on a culturally and linguistically diverse workforce. This diversity contributes valuable skills and experience, but it also creates challenges when safety information is not communicated in a way that everyone can fully understand.

One of the most important findings was that language barriers can come from much more than a worker’s level of English. Communication can also be affected by accents, speaking speed, use of slang, colloquial expressions, background noise, time pressure and the mental effort required to process instructions while completing demanding tasks.

This means communication problems should not simply be treated as individual weaknesses. They are organisational safety risks influenced by the working environment, leadership approach and the way information is delivered.

Does compliance equal understanding?

A worker may appear to understand an instruction, nod in agreement and perform a task correctly by copying others. However, this does not necessarily mean that the worker understands the hazard, the reason for the control measure or what to do when circumstances change.

Hierarchy can mute workers 

Cultural attitudes towards authority also influenced communication. Some workers were reluctant to question supervisors because they felt embarrassed, feared being judged or believed that challenging instructions would be disrespectful.

Productivity pressure made the problem worse. When teams were working to tight programmes, safety communication often became brief and directive, leaving limited opportunity for workers to ask questions or seek clarification.

Creating psychological safety is therefore essential. Workers must feel able to say that they do not understand without fearing criticism or negative consequences.

Communication must be checked

The research showed that visual communication was particularly effective. Demonstrations, diagrams, gestures, pictorial task cards and physical task modelling can reduce reliance on spoken English and help workers connect instructions with the work they are expected to perform.

However, providing information is only the first step. Supervisors should verify understanding by asking workers to explain or demonstrate the task in their own words.