New safety alert over foreign labour 'influx'

Tony Tynan, chairman of the National Demolition Training Group, has sounded a fresh warning on the safety implications of the "vast influx" of non-English speaking workers coming into the UK construction industry.

He said: "On construction sites, with their ever-changing conditions which require quick reactions, the inability to speak or clearly understand English could create a particular risk to the health and safety of the individual and to others working on site."

Tynan said many immigrant workers not only have an inadequate understanding of English, they are also illiterate. Managers from board level down to site supervisors must be alert to the fact that they are responsible for the health and safety and training of these workers.

He added: "Once employers recognise there is a risk and have taken suitable measures to reduce that risk, it may be acceptable to refuse employment to non-English speaking persons. Any blanket ban, however, is likely to be in breach of the current race relations law."

Both the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and the demolition training group have made specific provision for safety training of foreign nationals. There are now safety induction packages available in 15 EU member country languages. The HSE has also produced two purely visual videos on safety signs and on the COSHH regulations.

"These videos do the job splendidly," said Tynan.

Other provisions relating to non-English speakers that managers should consider include:

* Not allowing them to work alone in safety risk roles.

* Use of internationally recognised pictorial warning signs.

* Extra training plus assessment.

* A higher level of supervision.

* Use of external services where the degree of supervision is considered important.

* Use of interpreters for longer-term workers.

Whatever provisions are made, regular monitoring is essential with supervisors formally confirming that workers fully understand the safety risks.

Tynan, who is safety and training officer with leading demolition contractor Brown & Mason, concluded: "The list of implications is endless. And in today's market place, we must address this health and safety issue."