Migrant workers

If you employ migrant workers you should focus on four main areas to ensure their health and safety:

• Training: They may be completely unfamiliar with workplace risks, and may have never done the sort of work you’re asking them to do – so make sure induction training is clear and simple
• Communication: They may have problems communicating in English. Make sure you communicate clearly and effectively, for example by providing information in other languages, visual formats or simple English if necessary. Ensure workers understand what is required of them and they know how, and with whom, they can raise concerns
• Competence: This may be unclear. Before they start at your workplace, check that they have the occupational qualifications or skills needed for the job, and assess skill levels gained from overseas qualifications (eg for forklift driving)
• Attitude to health and safety: They may have different expectations about health and safety responsibilities. So make sure they understand the importance of health and safety in your workplace, how it’s managed, and that effective supervision can address any weaknesses in understanding instruction/training. Workers from some cultures may assume accidents are their own fault, or just inevitable, which can affect commitment to reducing and controlling risks

Find out more

• HSE's migrant workers website
• Information for workers in other languages