Migrant workers
15 September 2011
The Health and Safety Executive(HSE) has
adopted the following definition for migrant workers:
A migrant worker is someone who is or
has been working in the UK in the last 12 months and has come to
the UK from abroad in the last 5 years.
The deaths of 23 Chinese cockle pickers in
Morecambe Bay in 2004 highlighted the risks to the health and
safety of migrant workers in agriculture and in the
processing and packing of agricultural produce as a matter of
concern.
Much of the work in agriculture (including
farming, forestry, horticulture and fish farming) is seasonal,
short-term and low skilled. It accounts for between 15% - 20% of
the fatal injuries each year. The number of non-fatal injuries in
the industry is obscured by under-reporting. Potentially only about
25% of the non-fatal accidents to workers is actually reported.
As stated on the
HSE website, it is estimated that over 500,000 people still
work in agriculture. In recent years, the shortage of labour and
the changes in the UK food supply chain has resulted in a dramatic
increase in the number of temporary (including migrant) workers
employed in the industry. Recent government research suggests that
more than 600,000 temporary workers (not full time equivalent jobs)
are legally employed to harvest and pack produce on farms and farm
factories (pack houses). In addition it is estimated that up to a
further 200,000 workers may be working in agriculture and the food
processing sectors illegally – mainly nationals from outside the EU
who do not hold current visas to work
There are a number of reasons why the risks to
foreign workers are often higher than those for UK nationals.
- The working environment and health and safety culture in the UK
may be different from that in their own country.
- Levels of knowledge about health and safety law and rights and
responsibilities amongst migrant workers are generally low
- They may have limited access to suitable health and safety
training.
- Employers have sometimes failed to check on their work and
language skills
One of the main issues for migrant workers
compared with others is that of language and communication.
Not all migrant workers speak English and the
ability of those who do varies considerably. In some cases
those who speak English cannot read it. Therefore, the greater the
range of methods used to communicate, the more successful they are
likely to be:
Consider using visual or non verbal methods
such as pictures or signs or learning materials such as
videos/DVDs/CDs which can be provided or supported in multiple
languages.
Consider using the services of existing
bilingual or multilingual employees to translate information,
training or training materials.
One method is to use experienced supervisors
to conduct induction training in relevant languages which then
promotes open dialogue (questions and answers) which then can help
confirm that the migrant workers have understood the information
and training they need to work safely. This can help gain the
confidence of the workers who may be embarrassed that they cannot
communicate effectively in English, this then becomes two way
rather than the audience simply sitting and nodding. This will
hopefully also prevent the worker from pretending to understand
English for fear of not getting work or losing their jobs if their
lack of English became known.
Whilst it is necessary to provide the theory
during induction, the most important aspect is ensuring that you
confirm this has been understood via practical assessment of the
task. This confirms that everything discussed has been understood,
therefore helping the less academic workers gain the confidence to
complete the task.
Article by Kevin Bywater.