106: Fostering a Safety Culture: Breaking Down Language Barriers for Success

Did you know that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that 25% of workplace accidents cite language barriers as a contributing factor? These accidents not only endanger the lives of employees but also result in significant financial losses for businesses.

On average, only a small percentage of US employees know another language besides English. While it's not dangerous to know only one language in everyday life, there can be more serious consequences for language barriers in the workplace. They can be harmful and result in grave injuries. Addressing language barriers in the workplace is therefore crucial for ensuring safety and productivity.

The ability to communicate effectively with team members in all situations has become a highly valuable skill, as it fosters better collaboration, enhances customer relations, and protects all employees on the job. Businesses that encourage and promote multilingual communication are set up for long-term success and growth.

In this session, we will explore how the American workforce is evolving and the intersection of language learning and workplace safety, providing practical strategies and best practices for better collaboration and communication between multilingual teams. Together, we'll create a safer and more inclusive work environment.

Takeaways:

• How the changing demographics in the United States impact workplaces
• How communication impacts both psychological and physical safety
• How language learning prepares a workforce for a multilingual future