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CHAS question 7. Consultation - Workforce Involvement
Rank: New forum user
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Hi,
Does anyone have a 'text book' answer for the CHAS question on '....how the business fully involves, or will involve non-English speaking employees including labour only'. I guess it's a concise statement of our policy / intent that is required here? Can anyone please advise ? Many thanks
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Rank: Forum user
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I assume your going for CHAS certification to prove to potential clients that you have systems in place for managing health and safety and therefore drumming up more business through the PQQ's etc.
Due to the high number of foreign workers now in the UK, especially within the construction industry, they need to know how you communicate the health and safety message to the non-english speaking employees.
So then.....how do you?
Ask yourself this question and there's your answer, if you don't communicate with your non-speaking English employees, then you need to start considering doing so. Their lives are as valuable as English employees.
This may seem a bit flippant, but our profession should be about protecting people not giving 'text book' answers just to attain certifications and accreditaions if we are not meeting that standard.....grrrrrrrr
Solo!
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Rank: New forum user
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thanks Soloman; perhaps I should have been more specific: we employ only 5 (English speaking) workers, and FULLY AGREE with you stressing on the 'duty of care' statement. Assure you that is our ethic and overarching safety culture to focus on protecting our workers at all time. My query however relates primarily to ....''in the event of employing non-English speaking workers'', what should my approach be? Looking for guidance on two counts.. future Company Policy and CHAS? tHANKS
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Rank: Forum user
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If you are developing your policy, then you need to make a statement with regards to training that you take account of differing levels of; competence, skills, responsibility, language, literacy and risk. Consider providing handouts etc. in the language that they speak (HSE web-site can provide these), and also the use of a translator during training sessions.
Hope this helps.
Solo! ;-)
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Rank: New forum user
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thanks Soloman, useful stuff.
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Rank: Forum user
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HSE have issued recent guidance on the subject. (http://www.hse.gov.uk/migrantworkers/employer/protecting.pdf)
Regards
John
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi there I wrote a policy on this when we went through CHAS accreditation - drop me an email and I'll be happy to share it: liz.reed@stage-electrics.co.uk
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CHAS question 7. Consultation - Workforce Involvement
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