Talking factory sense in every language

Overseas workers who have English as an additional language (EAL) will face a number of challenges within the UK workplace, from struggling to understand safety procedures to building relationships with. Technology is helping to transform this to make work safer, more productive and enjoyable. 

In 2020/21 there were 20 fatalities in UK manufacturing, according to Health & Safety Executive statistics – a rise of more than 10 percent from the 18 fatalities recorded in the period from 2016/17 up until that year. Meanwhile, an average of 57,000 workers sustained non-fatal injuries at work between 2018-2022. 

At the same time, nearly half a million foreign workers were employed in the sector, or just under 10% of the manufacturing workforce. These team members are often not fluent in English, putting themselves at greater risk due to the limited access to health and safety training. Additionally, they may have difficulty in understanding what training is being offered, a situation compounded if employers fail to check on their work and language skills.

And there are less obvious effects: EAL workers can struggle to fit in with others if they are unable to communicate effectively leading to loneliness and isolation that can affect job satisfaction and motivation. 

Research demonstrates language barriers in the workplace contribute to inefficiency, stifle collaboration and lower productivity. 

There is a clear need for translation but it takes time and money: interpreters are expensive and not always available 24/7; a language line can be more affordable but often difficult in a noisy environment. And neither facilitates relationship building because a third party is involved. 

Today, however, companies can utilise technology to overcome language barriers. Google Translate, which provides free translations accessed via an app or web browser, is perhaps the best known. However, it has limitations.

It’s not accurate across all languages and doesn’t take into account regional accents and slang. Importantly, it doesn’t include minority languages who are the most impacted by disconnect and depends on users having access to a smart device at all times.

However, hardware solutions such as Pocketalk can instantly translate a larger amount of languages with greater accuracy. Using WiFi, mobile data or a hotspot to work these stand alone devices not only offer audio translations but also text so that the users are extra certain they understand. It also negates the need for a smart device to be available too. 

Overall, there is no one size fits all approach to language translation in manufacturing and each company will have different needs depending on factors such as the composition of the workforce.

At a time when EAL is becoming more common in the UK, not least with the arrival of Ukrainian refugees, it is hugely reassuring for health and safety outcomes and the futures of all overseas workers that there are a variety of tech-based options available to make communicating at work more effective. As well allowing them to feel a part of the time and make friends. 

 Joe Miller is general manager of the Americas and Europe at Pocketalk