This policy supplements the Health and Safety policy and equal opportunity policy statements. J A Stott (Carpentry) Ltd has a duty of care to foreign workers when they are employed by the company.
J A Stott (Carpentry) Ltd will consider what level of English may be required for the role (if any) and to be able to demonstrate why this level is required.
A number of employees that are employed by J A Stott (Carpentry) Ltd are multi-lingual and will be able to assist with interpreting at meetings.
J A Stott (Carpentry) Ltd will display (where required) multi-language safety signs, notices and communications – particularly for health and safety requirements.
J A Stott (Carpentry) Ltd’s workplace policies should be put in place (i.e. on Equality, Bullying and Harassment). This should deal with issues of exclusion and being respectful of others who do not share the same language.
Individuals are to be reminded to consider the needs of others who do not share the same mother tongue and to encourage a common language to be spoken when undertaking work activities.
All foreign workers employed by J A Stott (Carpentry) Ltd will be briefed on safe systems of work including the risk assessments. Where there is a communication barrier i.e. different language(s), which prevents the worker fully understanding the safe system of work or risk assessments, then the safe system of work and risk assessments shall be communicated to the worker(s) via another person, whom can communicate the safe system of work and risk assessments fully in their native language
We also expect Sub-contractors employed by us to observe this policy.
In all cases, every attempt will be made to endeavour essential information is passed on to Non-English speaking workers in an easily understood form and in line with HSE Guidelines.
J A Stott (Carpentry) Ltd will encourage employees to learn from one another and feedback any ideas on how communication can be facilitated within the workplace to remove any barriers.
This policy will be reviewed annually, when circumstances indicate a change is needed or when legislation is introduced that necessitates change.
The policy has also been produced as a separate document and is on public display
Signed:
Name: John Kane
Position: Construction Director
Date: 22/01/20