The cultural divide

By Wendy Huber-Wichelt

 

A changing labor force is making employers re-evaluate how they conduct safety training.

In the midst of a thriving economy, workers are entering the industry with little or no practical knowledge. Adding to that, there is a rising number of immigrant workers entering the field presenting language and cultural differences, which can make communication at the job site difficult.

"Many times, these new recruits are being thrown into an environment they know nothing about," Hap Pigsley, safety director for Platt Safety Services said.

According to Pigsley, basic industry knowledge, as well as the ability to identify hazards and know how to handle them, must be taught together from day one. He emphasized that the two go hand in hand because without a basic knowledge of what to do, safety is compromised.

Carl Thiesen, safety manager for road builder Payne & Dolan Inc., also has seen the changes in the skill level of the workforce firsthand.

"Years ago, people involved in construction either had a farm background or a certain level of mechanical aptitude," Thiesen said. "What we find now is that common sense isn't what it used to be. It's not that people back then were any better than people are now - just different. We're seeing a different skill set in new people, and we have to adapt training to this change. That's what more companies have to address."

Both Pigsley and Thiesen defined "common sense" as having a basic knowledge of construction terms and methods. Thiesen gave the example of an experienced worker asking a new worker for a hasp while at a job site. In some cases, new workers may not know what a hasp is, while foremen and veteran workers just assume that they do. In another example, Thiesen said, some new workers might not know something as simple as which direction to turn a nut on a bolt. And many times, these new workers are uncomfortable asking questions.

"If they don't know something, they have to feel comfortable asking questions. Questions are normal," Thiesen said. "They need to ask or say, 'Hey, I don't understand.' "

According to Thiesen, Payne & Dolan's two-part safety training begins with a four-hour classroom orientation on what new employees might see on a job site. Class-room training is followed up by an on-site orientation where foremen cover a 25- to 30-point safety checklist with workers to keep them on track.

The language gap

Some employers in the industry, out of fear of sounding politically incorrect, are hesitant to discuss language barriers.

"According to OSHA law, we identify hazards, train the employees how to handle them and give them the equipment to handle them," Pigsley said. "The problem is (some workers) just don't understand. The whole thing ties into a big circle. We have to communicate in order to train and make them constructive."

Most new employees are watched carefully by site foremen or teamed up with more experienced workers to learn. How-ever, Pigsley foresees a larger problem emerging, as the labor force ages and those mentors retire.

Few problems

From a union perspective, Tom Richards, training director at the Wisconsin Operating Engineers' Skill Improvement and Apprenticeship Fund in Coloma, hasn't seen the difference in workers that Pigsley and Thiesen have encountered. However, like Pigsley, he stressed the importance of safety in overall training. Operating Engineers Local 139 training program starts with 10-hours of training on OSHA construction industry standards followed by mandatory first-aid and CPR instruction and classes that deal with hazardous materials and machine safety. Richards explained that the program also stresses how workers can protect themselves and others while on a job site.

There are others as well, like Tom Walker, executive director of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, who say they have seen no change in workers' skills and have had no difficulties with language barriers.

Still, Pigsley contends this is a problem that has to addressed. Ensuring proper training and overcoming language barriers that are showing up in some areas of the industry are the only ways to ensure safety at any job site.

"If we don't start educating people now, and find a common language," he said, "things are going to go to heck in a hand basket in a hurry."

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