A significant number of workers in the Asian construction industry lack adequate OSH training, putting them at increased risk of accident and injury, according to the latest World Risk Poll, published by independent global safety charity, the Lloyd’s Register Foundation.

“Language barriers and the work status of many international workers can exacerbate these risks by hindering the effective communication and understanding of safety protocols” said David Clarke, director and co-founder of Evernoon. “Workers may be reluctant to come forward to report workplace injuries, making it difficult for companies to identify and properly manage their risks.”

Key findings highlighting the urgent need for improved OSH practices in Asia

The new report highlights the need for improved occupational safety and health (OSH) practices.

Here are some key findings from the report.

• Construction is the second most dangerous occupation globally: More than 1 in 5 construction workers have experienced harm in the workplace in the past two years.
• High rates of workplace deaths in low- and lower-middle-income countries: Most workplace deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, which is mostly attributable to their large working-age populations. Asia has one of the highest attributable fractions of workplace deaths compared to other regions.
• Inadequate OSH training in Asia and Africa: Nearly half of workplace harm goes unreported globally. Southern Asia, Southeast Asia and Central/Western Africa have some of the highest rates of workplace harm and lowest rates of OSH training and reporting. The report identifies these regions as a priority for occupational safety and health (OSH) interventions.
• The importance of regular training in long-term culture: Almost two-thirds of global workers have never received OSH training about the risks associated with their jobs. But those who have received training in the last two years are more than three times more likely to report workplace harm than those who have not. These findings suggest that regular training not only raises individual awareness but also fosters a culture of safety communication within the workplace.

Evernoon’s commitment to workplace safety: Three-point safety action plan

Evernoon is committed to promoting workplace safety in the construction industry in Asia. In partnership with Guildhawk, the team is championing a new three-point safety action plan for industry leaders aimed at improving the way environmental and safety information is communicated to workers through a combination of research, multilingual training and music.

Find out more here.

Conclusion

The World Risk Poll highlights the need for improving workplace safety in construction, particularly in regions such as East and Southeast Asia. Multilingual training is a crucial solution to address the challenges posed by language barriers and ensure that all workers have access to the information and skills required for a safe working environment.

By embracing multilingual training and implementing Evernoon’s three initiatives, we can adopt a grassroots approach to understanding the unique needs of workers on-site and developing tailored solutions that resonate with their preferred learning styles and communication channels. Let’s break down these barriers together and create a safer, healthier workplace for the global construction industry.