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Communication: Safety Without Barriers
If you do not understand the safety instruction, do not start the work.
Why this matters
- Our site brings together people from many different countries. We speak different languages, but we all face the same hazards. A simple misunderstanding of a safety rule can lead to a serious injury for you or your partner.
- When a supervisor gives a task briefing, they must know that everyone understands. If you stay silent when you are confused, you are putting your life at risk. It is always better to ask for a translation than to make a mistake.
Talking points
- Listen carefully during the morning briefing and focus on the safety rules.
- If you do not understand a word, raise your hand immediately to alert the supervisor.
- Ask a teammate who speaks your language to translate the instruction for you.
- Before you start the task, repeat the instruction back to show you understand correctly.
- Use standard hand signals when noise or language makes talking difficult.
- Follow the pictures on safety signs: they are designed for everyone to understand regardless of language.
- Never assume you know what to do if the instructions were not clear to you.
Ask the crew
- What is the first thing you should do if you do not understand the briefing?
- Who in our team can help translate if someone is confused?
- How can we use hand signals to communicate 'Stop' or 'Danger' across the site?
Download the PDF with attendance sheet
More general site talks
Shortcuts and Time Pressure: Recognizing When You Are Being RushedComplacency: The Danger of Doing it Many TimesWelcoming New Starters: Safety in the First WeeksChange of Plan: Why You Must Stop and ReassessWaste Segregation: More Than Just CleaningWorking with Other Contractors: Coordination and Shared Hazards
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