Why Language Access Could Save Lives in Emergencies

Many people think they are ready for an emergency, but it takes more than just thinking about it. It makes sense to have a plan for events or disasters that can happen suddenly. But what should that plan include? Most people know that government agencies, from local to federal, have plans for emergencies. What about employers? How prepared are workplaces for disasters and emergencies?

Employers with worksites in hurricane and tornado zones have plans for those events. Those plans probably include safe places, emergency kits, and communication with local officials and first responders. To be effective, though, plans must be more than generic outlines in binders or on servers. They must be thought out and actively used.

"To keep workers safe during an emergency, it is important for employers to develop plans specific to their workplace. It should be a detailed checklist of information, actions, and equipment that may be needed," said Young Wheeler, director of OSHA's Office of Emergency Management. "Employers should educate and properly train workers, as well as regularly review, practice, and refine their emergency plans."

Preparedness plans also need to be easy for every worker to understand. They should include resources to make sure every worker knows what to do regardless of their English proficiency or the language they speak. During National Preparedness Month, the year's campaign focuses on helping Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities prepare for disasters. This theme makes preparedness more than just a job for Wheeler. It is personal.

"As an Asian American myself, I often translated for my family when I was younger, so I understand the importance of language access. It's critical to train workers on how to respond safely to an emergency in the language they understand," said Wheeler.

For this reason, OSHA has taken steps to help workers and employers know how to be safe and prepared for disasters. The agency provides print resources in several languages, and every OSHA webpage is available in many languages by clicking the "Languages" button at the top of the page.

"While worker rights, standards required protections and guidance exits, if people don't know about them—or they're afraid to communicate with us—it is extremely difficult for us to accomplish our mission," wrote Frank Meilinger, director of communications at OSHA, in a blog post.

OSHA provides free emergency preparedness resources and information to workers and employers. These tools can help employers plan for various events that could impact operations and lead to worker injuries or fatalities. The goal is to ensure all workers are informed and protected , no matter the situation.

Meilinger recently spoke at the American Society of Safety Professionals conference about hurdles and progress in workplace safety communications. He identified two challenges shared by safety and health professionals:

1. Overcoming fear and establishing trust.
2. Reaching workers directly.

Meilinger encourages people to involve others in safety conversations, find the right messenger, and listen to others.

"It's critical to get different perspectives and ideas before you begin," wrote Meilinger. "People trust messages from people they can relate to."

This message aligns with the 2024 National Preparedness Month theme: "Start a Conversation."

"At OSHA, we are building our own culture so that language accessibility and cultural inclusion is part of everything we do—a regular part of our routine," wrote Mellinger. "It's great to know that there are other people who are just as passionate about communication and language access to keep people safe at work."

In addition to emergency preparedness resources, OSHA offers free tool to help employers establish and improve their overall safety and health management systems. Visit www.osha.gov to learn more about workplace safety.

For more information on how to better prepare for emergencies, visit Ready.gov.