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OSHA Enforcement Memo Focused on Non-English Speakers

Inspectors will verify that training was provided in a language and vocabulary the workers could understand.

  • Apr 29, 2010

OSHA issued an enforcement memorandum Wednesday that tells its compliance officers to check and verify that workers are receiving OSHA-required training in a language they understand. The directive applies to non-English speakers, not solely to Latino workers.

"This directive conforms with Secretary Solis' clear and urgent goal of reducing injuries and illnesses among Latino and other vulnerable workers," said Dr. David Michaels, the OSHA assistant secretary. "These workers represent an integral and essential part of the key industries that keep our country running every day."

Several OSHA standards require employee training, and it is well understood that training should be provided in formats and languages that workers comprehend. Companies that offer training aids and materials typically offer products in multiple languages, particularly in Spanish for the U.S. market, but also in French, German, Portuguese, Arabic, Hindi, Italian, Chinese, Dutch, and more. The memo says compliance officers should check and verify that training was provided in a language and vocabulary that the workers could understand.


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Comments

Tue, May 11, 2010 Brian

The problem is that this is not about worker safety, it is about money. I have several Spanish speaking employees that can read and understand English very well, but do not speak it fluently. How many CSHO's are going to believe that they understand it if they don't speak it? My guess is very few. Their experience, for the most part, is not grounded in the real world like Safety Professionals that are in the field every day. As for the politics of it, you can't dismiss it, because understanding the political environment is crucial to understanding how regulatory agencies will act.

Mon, May 10, 2010 MM

To the May 6th comment I would like to add - No outrage here mi amigo and the solution is simple; everyone can do his/her part. Stop hiring workers who cannot speak, read and otherwise communicate in English. That's right! You can require that all applicants be fluent in English, especially those jobs that communication is imperative in order to keep everyone safe. There is no one in the DOL that can do anything about it. But in regards to your comment about "economical disadvantage" I don't know you'll accomplish much. Personally, I don't know any "full blooded" English speaking American making minimum wage even though they spell safety – SAFTY, but foreign workers making minimum wage? - a dime a dozen.

To Rick my other safety conscious citizen… the key to prevent your problem is documentation. Is simple and easy to implement, get pen, paper and a little thinking so you can word it appropriately and pass the lawyers' test. If you are not sure, hire a lawyer…

Mmm! Lawyers, perhaps you all need to conduct a root cause analysis. You'll quickly find out the root of the problem is not an undocumented, illiterate foreign. He/she did have neither the knowledge nor the money to change our laws. But with our lawyers, who have plenty of financial gain whenever they argue law.

To Sheral, it may seem outrageous to you but this is not new, OSHA is just enforcing.

To Andy, I do hope they include the hearing impaired but in the interim, we can both help in our jobs by changing perception.

Finally, I hope that our political views don't blindside us of our real jobs… to keep our workforce, whether foreign or not, safe.

One more piece of advice, if you don't want to deal with a foreign applying for a job at your facility do this; put a big confederate flag in front of your building, or at least one on top of your desk; I know it deterred me… That is your right and no one can deny you of showing the rebel flag, not even your employer. But keep in mind you may face some repercussion, such as losing business to the competition, but that.s the price we all have to pay to live in the best country in the world… God Bless America… and keep us all SAFE!!!

Mon, May 10, 2010 sheral oregon

This is absolutely outrageous. I have several different cultures at work in my factory, but I teach my safety meetings in English, they can have a translator co-employee if they feel the need. I AGREE THIS IS AMERICA AND ENGLISH IS THE PRIMARY LANGUAGE. Immigrants need to learn some English. I am so sick of accommodating those who simply do not want to learn. There will be no outrage or backlash from me. I agree with you above.

Mon, May 10, 2010

I wish it were just 12. We have 22 different dialects and some cannot read/write their native language as well.

Mon, May 10, 2010 Rick Oklahoma City

I agree with the may 6th comment, I am glad someone said it. What I dislike the most is when you hire someone that speaks good English and is able to fill out the application on their own, but when something happens, they do something wrong all of a sudden they don't understand any English. Wouldn't it be nice if we could just turn it on and off.

Thu, May 6, 2010

I am just curious, when you go to other countries, do they provide safety training in multiple languages, or only the language of the country? America wants to pride itself on diversity, yet puts itself in an economic disadvantage by forcing companies to translate everything into 12 different languages. This is America - the National language is English - if you want to participate in all America has to offer, learn the language of the country. Don't expect the entire country to change for you. That's just my opinion, I expect outrage and backlash.

Tue, May 4, 2010 Andy Markle California

I would hope that this includes the hearing impaired. They, too, are an integral part of the U.S. workforce.

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