137: Language/Wording Issue
Definition/Typical Issues
Did personnel have difficulty using the procedure because of the language used in the procedure? Did the front-line workers speak a different language than the written procedures?
Examples
Example 1
- An assembly line malfunction procedure was written in English. However, most workers only spoke Mandarin. As a result, most assembly line workers did not understand the procedure. Supervisors were needed to work with every crew to verbally explain what was in the procedure.
Example 2
- Platform workers primarily spoke Spanish. However, because most supervisors spoke English, most procedures were written in English. As a result, some of the workers could not understand the details of the maintenance procedures.
Example 3
- An inexperienced Spanish-speaking worker was injecting too much grease into bearings during maintenance rounds. The procedures said to inject grease into each bearing "once." "Once" in Spanish means "11." So he was injecting 11 times as much grease into the bearing as he should have been.
Typical Recommendations
- Survey workers to determine the predominant languages spoken and read in the facility.
- Screen workers for reading/writing capabilities prior to hire.
- Provide training on the languages used in procedures and verbal communications.
Cross-References
| Maritime Element(s) | |
|---|---|
| Node ID | Node Name |
| 124 | Language Difficulty |