Modern Languages Blog

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning employers to make sure their workers’ language skills are good enough for the work they are doing, reports the BBC.

It follows a £25,000 fine imposed on a Telford company after a woman broke her arm in a factory machine.

Magna Specialist Confectioners of Stafford Park admitted breaching Health and Safety regulations. The company was also ordered to pay nearly £5000 costs at a hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Investigating Inspector Guy Dale said he believed the fact that the injured woman used English as a second language may have been a factor in the accident. He suggested that an employee’s understanding of written and spoken English should be checked before they started work.

Mr Dale said it was a fundamental expectation that employees should be able to work in safety.

Read more on the BBC website.

Categories: English as a second or foreign language