More than a million people in England are unable to read at the level expected of the average seven-year-old — a situation that could cause a major problem for employers.
To mark International Literacy Day next Tuesday (8 September) IOSH is reminding businesses not to assume that written health and safety instructions will be understood by all. The key, says the Institution, is to always make sure employees understand before letting them get on with work, and to encourage workers to not be embarrassed to ask questions if they don’t understand.
IOSH president Nattasha Freeman said: “Being able to read is something many of us take for granted. But there are many people in the workplace with low levels of literacy, which means we must not just rely on written information, or even verbal instructions. There has also been a huge increase in workers who don’t speak English as their first language, and we have to make sure we are able to communicate, particularly on health and safety, with these members of staff.”
Nattasha also urged employers to put plenty of effort into their communications with staff on health and safety by, for example, using pictures and demonstrations to aid understanding. “Failing to get health and safety messages across could be deadly — for your employees, for others who come into contact with your business and, given the current economic climate, for your firm,” she warned.
Globally, some 776 million people lack minimum literacy skills. International Literacy Day is held each year to highlight the importance of literacy, and the empowering effect it has.
