SafeWork NSW recently issued a safety alert following several recent incidents in which culturally and linguistically diverse workers (CALD workers) sustained serious injury.

“Every worker requires support to work to their capacity and stay safe. However, there are four groups of workers who are most at risk of being injured at work,” according to the safety alert, which said these groups are:

• culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) workers
• labour hire workers
• migrant workers
• young workers

Culturally and linguistically diverse workers and migrant workers are more likely to be harmed in the workplace than other workers.

The alert said to consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with workers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

In particular, the alert said to ensure:

• induction, theory, audio, and video training material are translated for CALD and migrant workers
• competency systems are in place and validated prior to workers undertaking high risk work
• procedures are translated into the appropriate for dialects within your workplace
• a representative is available to consult with CALD workers to ensure their concerns are being raised and heard
• appropriate supervision is in place for new workers
• trainers are competent to train and assess new workers.