Deaths involving workers from the expanded EU means UK businesses need to be extra vigilant about risk management for migrant staff, according to Norwich Union.
Deaths involving workers from the expanded EU means UK businesses need to be extra vigilant about risk management for migrant staff, according to Norwich Union.
The warning follows figures published recently by the Health and Safety Commission (HSE) showing that of the 59 workers who died in the construction industry last year five were migrant Polish workers.
Norwich Union has launched a special “Migrant Workers” section on its Risk Manager web site – www.norwichunion.com/RiskManager aimed at helping brokers and their clients to understand and tackle the issues.
Phil Grace, Norwich Union’s casualty risk manager, says: “The employment of foreign workers is not something to be undertaken without full consideration of the possible additional risks involved. Migrant workers are at an automatic disadvantage because of language and cultural barriers.
“Foreign workers employed in the UK enjoy the same protection as UK workers and have the same rights and responsibilities. So, risk assessments and the resulting actions must take the different languages and cultures of these new workers into account.”
Grace has identified some of the most pressing risks involving immigrant workers, including:
- Language: foreign workers with a limited command of English may not understand fully safety briefings or training. Language training should be considered essential, especially if the employment is expected to be permanent.
- Interpreters: where possible, an interpreter should be available to facilitate conversations between employers and migrant employees.
- Training: videos, lectures or computer-based training will be of limited use to those without the necessary language skills.
- Signage: despite many warning sign images being universal, some which carry additional text – such as electrical equipment showing a “next inspection date” message – are unlikely to be understood. Ideally, there should be signs written in workers’ native languages.
- Written material: risk assessments, operating instructions and working procedures should be translated into the appropriate language(s). The HSE and TUC have both prepared material in a number of foreign languages. Still, consideration should be given to creating bespoke documentation for a particular task or industry sector.
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For further information, please contact:
Jon Clements or Jo Brearley on 0161 919 8495 or Sally Leeman at Norwich Union on 01603 684225/ 07800 699670.
Notes to editors:
Norwich Union is the UK’s largest general insurer with a market share of around 14%, with a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses.
It is a leading provider of life, pensions and investment products and one of the largest financial adviser (FA) providers. FAs provide over 70% of the company's long-term savings business in the UK.
Norwich Union’s news releases and a selection of images are available from Aviva's internet press centre at www.aviva.com/media.