Migrant workers - HSE warns about extra H&S risks

A terrible incident in which a migrant worker lost a leg has led to calls for employers to ensure workers who cannot speak English fully understand safety procedures

A recycling company in Uxbridge was fined £35,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,904, at the City of London Magistrates Court last week, after pleading guilty to two breaches of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

The court heard how Nicolai Danut-Puiu, 38, a Romanian national who understood little English and had been working as a labourer at the site for a few weeks, was in a loading shed sorting waste when he was struck by a 20 tonne loading shovel. His right leg had to be amputated.

The HSE said its subsequent investigation had found there were no clearly identified walkways on site, which meant that heavy plant and pedestrians had to operate in dangerously close proximity to each other.

Zameer Bhunnoo, HSE investigating inspector said: ‘With the increase of foreign workers in Britain, it is essential that companies who need their skills take care to ensure workers fully understand what is required of them, and how to avoid risks in the workplace.’

Research published by the HSE in 2006 has shown that migrant workers in the UK face increased health and safety risks.

The study , by a team from London Metropolitan University, found that migrant workers experienced higher levels of workplace accidents because they were more likely to work long hours, work shifts and had "limited understanding of health and safety".

Contributory factors also highlighted were communication difficulties and the fact migrants were "more likely to take up work in sectors that they have not been trained or had experience working in."

At the time the HSE said it would target inspections and enforcement in sectors where migrant workers and other vulnerable workers were most likely to work.

The HSE offers a considerable amount of advice and information in foreign languages on the 'other languages' section of its website. It also provides a 'telephone interpreting service' for people wishing to speak to someone about health and safety in a language other than English.

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