Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
															Search
		×
			NIOSH
			NIOSH
				All CDC
				Submit
			For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
			Advanced Search
		Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)


Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate





Language Barriers in Seafood Processing										Related Pages
										Language Barriers in the Seafood Processing IndustryWhat is the health and safety problem?In the United States, English literacy is an important aspect of public health.1 Across industries, language barriers and low literacy are barriers to ensuring workplace safety and health.2
The Occupational Safety and Health Administrationexternal icon provides guidelines for how employers must communicate with their employees. They must:
Instruct employees using both a language and vocabulary that the employees can understand. If an employee does not speak or comprehend English, the employer must provide instruction in a language the employee can understand.
Provide training at the reading/vocabulary level of the employee. If the employee has limited vocabulary, the training must account for that limitation.
Do not rely on written training only. If employees are not literate, telling them to read training materials will not satisfy the employer’s training obligation. Consider other training methods.What is the extent of the problem?Around the United States, the seafood processing industry consists of a global workforce, with many workers having limited or no English-language skills.3, 4
In a study of safety and health programs in Alaska’s seafood processing industry, language barriers with their employees were the most common challenges reported by safety and health managers.5 Other than English, the most commonly spoken languages among workers were Spanish, Tagalog, Samoan, French, Somali, and Arabic, as well as various Oceanic, African, Eastern European, and Alaska Native languages. Managers described a variety of methods to overcome these barriers, such as translating materials and incorporating visuals and hands-on activities into their training.5What are recommendations for addressing language barriers?**Appropriately use translators and interpreters6, 7**
Hire professional interpreters and translators
Bilingual workers acting as interpreters may have limited abilities to interpret and communicate complex issues effectively, therefore:
Invest in education and ongoing support/coaching of trusted individuals (“worker-trainers”) who in turn provide training to their peers
Build bilingual infrastructure by finding or developing bilingual managers, potentially from countries where employers recruit workers
Use native-speaking translators with in-depth knowledge of the topicIt is important to consider that direct translation of written materials from English to other languages does not necessarily guarantee literacy, language, or cultural appropriateness.8**Develop effective trainings and materials7, 9**
Keep training materials at a limited literacy level (e.g., 6th grade reading level)
Use clear and realistic illustrations, graphics, photographs, and video to convey messages
Use higher learner-engagement methods to improve the effectiveness of the training (e.g., behavioral modeling, simulation, and hands-on training)
Include basic education on occupational safety and health laws and workers’ rights
Conduct pilot testing of trainings with workersOther Resources:**CDC Health Literacy Resources**The CDC’s *Health Literacy* site provides information, tools, and links on health literacy research, practice, and evaluation for public health topics and situations.
CDC Resources in Languages Other than English
NIOSH Science Blog
Partnering to Educate English-Language Learners in Alaska on Worker Safety and HealthBlog posts in SpanishBlog posts in other languagesNIOSH Occupational Health Equity Program
OSHA Publications in Languages Other than Englishexternal icon
OSHA Hazard Communication Standardexternal icon**References:**
1 CDC. (2016). What is Health Literacy? Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/learn/index.html2 Gany F, Dobslaw R, Ramirez J, et al. (2011). Mexican urban occupational health in the U.S.: A population at risk. Journal of Community Health, 36(2):175-179.3 Garcia GM, De Castro B. Working conditions, occupational injuries, and health among Filipino fish processing workers in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Workplace Health Saf. 2017;65(5):219–226. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165079916665396external icon.4 American University Washington College of Law, Centro de los Derechos del Migrante & Georgetown University Law Center. (2020.) Breaking the shell: How Maryland’s migrant crab pickers continue to be ‘picked apart.’ https://cdmigrante.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Breaking-The-Shell.pdfpdf iconexternal icon5 Syron LN, Bovbjerg VE, Mendez-Luck CA, Kincl L [2019]. Safety and health programs in Alaska’s seafood processing industry: Interviews with safety and health managers. J Agromedicine, 24(4), 449-461. https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2019.1639578external icon.6 O’Connor T, Flynn M, Weinstock D, et al. Occupational safety and health education and training for underserved populations. New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy. 2014; 24(1), 83-106.7 Brunette MJ. Development of educational and training materials on safety and health: Targeting Hispanic workers in the construction industry. Family & Community Health. 2005; 28(3), 253-266.8 Arcury TA, Estrada JM, Quandt SA. Overcoming language and literacy barriers in safety and health training of agricultural workers. Journal of Agromedicine. 2010; 15(3), 236-248.9 Burke MJ, Sarpy SA, Smith-Crowe K, et al. Relative effectiveness of worker safety and health training methods. American Journal Public Health. 2006; 96(2), 315-324.Top of Page
							
					
						Page last reviewed:  August 25, 2021					Content source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health homeMaritime Safety and Health Studies
About the Centerplus icon
Program Description
Program Goals
Program Impact
Contact the Maritime Center
Maritime Industriesplus icon
Shipyards
Marine Terminals
Marine Transportation
Seafood Processingplus icon
Ergonomic Hazards
Language Barriers
Fatigue Hazards
Publications
Commercial Fishing
Aquaculture
Commercial Diving
Publications
Maritime Resources
Health Hazard Evaluations Follow NIOSH Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube
 NIOSH Homepage NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs
Contact NIOSH


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue