WorkSafe Tasmania

WorkSafe Tasmania

Safe and well every day

Migrant workers

You may employ people with English as a second language, including temporary workers for seasonal work (for example, backpackers during fruit harvesting seasons).

If you’re a Person Conduction a Business or Undertaking (PCBU), you must adapt your work practices according to the different needs of your workers.

Specific issues to consider for your migrant workers may include:

  • language barriers
  • cultural or religious differences
  • literacy difficulties
  • limited knowledge of local legislation and safety standards
  • reluctance to engage with authority figures.

Therefore you may need to:

  • consider how to convey information about safety to those with a limited knowledge of English
  • consider accessing English language support for workers
  • arrange for any necessary support to be provided by others within the workplace
  • encourage supervisors to be understanding and approachable.

Resources

Migrant workers: Safe Work Australia These facts sheets are aimed at workers and are in different languages. They explain work health and safety responsibilities and workers compensation.

Understanding the safety and health needs of your workplace migrant workers: A guide for employers: WorkSafe WA

Employer resources: Migration Tasmania

Employer Resources: Multicultural Access Point, Tasmanian Government

Last updated: 15 February 2023
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