In construction, communication is everything. It’s how people are made aware of safety hazards, quality is assured, and teams are able to come together to get more done. So what happens when you’re communicating across different languages? The reality is that the construction workforce is diverse, with Digital Commons reporting that over 27% of workers are of Spanish or Latin origin. Not to mention other languages that might show up on a job-site, including Ukranian, Portuguese, Chinese, French, Russian, Arabic, and more. Recently, we sat down with Shane Meighan, Risk Management Consultant at Builders Mutual, to talk about how to help construction workers overcome language barriers. 

Understanding what’s important across language barriers 

Thinking about how to navigate different languages on the job can immediately feel overwhelming. Truthfully, workers don’t need to be able to understand each other fully––they just need to be able to understand what’s critical to the job (and their safety).  

To minimize overwhelm and make the most of communication efforts, it can be helpful to really think about what’s important. Ideally, you want to set workers up with quality communication skills that allow them to avoid the dangerous, awkward, and typically ineffective mad libs/exaggerated gesture approach that is often used when there’s no cross-language plan in place. Some of the most imperative parts of the job all workers will need to understand include:

  • Job-site policies: Every worker who steps onto a job-site needs to understand the expectations that come with their presence. For example, are they supposed to wear safety goggles at all times? When and where do daily meetings occur? These details play a key role in helping workers get a lay of the land so they can do their job successfully. 
  • Scope of work: Every person on the job-site needs to be aware of where their expertise fits into the bigger picture. This will help them know what’s being asked of them so they can deliver the best work possible: on time, on budget, and in lock-step with any other workers or teams. 
  • Safety procedures: It’s in everyone’s best interest to make sure safety doesn’t get lost in translation. This means ensuring each individual worker understands the safety risks at play and what they need to be mindful of as they go about their work (i.e., will there be people working above them? Where should they store equipment when it’s not in use?).

Taking action to overcome language barriers 

Working around language barriers doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The more you plan ahead, the more confidently your team will be able to communicate, different languages and all. When thinking about different languages showing up on the job-site, it’s beneficial to: 

  • Keep track of non-English speakers: Knowing your workforce is an integral part of anticipating needs and keeping communication as seamless as possible. Try to identify non-English speakers before they ever arrive on site so you can connect them with the right resources before they’re up against a communication issue. 
  • Have help available: Once you know your workforce is going to be bilingual, go ahead and do your homework. This means preparing resources, coordinating a translator for important moments (such as orientation), and ensuring all of the relevant supervisors know language barriers are something they’ll need to consider on a day-to-day basis. 
  • Be as inclusive as possible: When it comes to the details of construction and safety on the job-site, there’s no such thing as overcommunication. To make communication as clear as can be, be sure to think of everybody as you’re outfitting your job-site. Consider having job-site signage, daily huddles, and any important handouts in all of the languages that are prominent in your workforce. 
  • Make it simple: Simplifying what you’re trying to communicate can be an effective way to eliminate misunderstandings. If time and resources allow, pictograms are a promising option for minimizing language entirely and getting straight to the point of what needs to be conveyed. When you are speaking, talk slowly, focus on the main points, and avoid any overly complicated phrases. 

When it comes to communication on the job-site, you can’t afford to cut corners. Everybody needs to know what they’re doing, how they’re expected to do it, and what needs to be done to uphold safety and quality standards along the way. Builders Mutual is here to help. From providing pre-translated handout resources to coming on site for bilingual tool talks, we’re full of ideas for how to sharpen communication across the board. Contact your Risk Management Consultant today to learn more about how we can move past language barriers, together.