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Safety instructions for multilingual staff

Communicating instructions effectively to employees who speak different languages can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are creative solutions to overcome this hurdle and improve safety and efficiency in the workplace.

With globalization and labor shortages, working with multilingual staff is becoming more common. Communicating instructions effectively to employees who speak different languages can be a challenge. Clear safety instructions are essential for a smooth process. Mistakes due to misunderstandings can lead to unsafe situations, delays, and wasted resources. Miscommunication is more likely with multilingual teams, making it crucial to communicate safety instructions effectively. Fortunately, there are creative solutions to overcome this hurdle and improve safety and efficiency in the workplace.


From text to animations

In order to instruct employees well and effectively, it is worth considering replacing written text instructions with illustrations and animations. When instructions consist only of images, this offers several advantages, especially when it comes to reaching multilingual staff:

  1. More universal language : (moving) images are a universal language. They can be understood without linguistic barriers, which contributes to clear and direct communication.

  2. Visual Clarification : Animations can simplify complex processes by presenting them visually. This helps employees to better understand what is expected of them.

  3. Better retention : Visual information is easier to remember than text. Animations have the potential to stay in employees’ minds longer, reducing errors and the chance of incidents.

  4. Cost-saving : Once created, animation instructions can be used repeatedly without the need for translation. This can significantly reduce the cost and time of translating text instructions.

Guidelines for creating instructions

Making instructions with animations effective requires a careful approach. Here are some guidelines on how to proceed:

  1. Simple and clear : Keep animations simple and clear. Avoid too many details and exceptions that can cause confusion.

  2. Step-by-step approach : break the process down into clear steps and show each step with an animation. This helps to make the sequence of actions clear.

  3. Use recognizable symbols : Use universally recognizable symbols and icons to represent actions and objects.

  4. Test and improve : Conduct tests with representative employees to determine how effective the animations are. Adjust them based on feedback.

Communicating instructions to multilingual staff can be a challenge, but using text-free animations and voice-overs can be a powerful solution. Animations provide a visual and universal way to explain and clarify complex processes, while also overcoming language barriers. By providing clear and effective instructions, errors can be reduced, ultimately leading to a more efficient and safer work environment.


Contact

Curious about how animations can contribute to a safer working environment at your organization? Instructiefilm.nl is an expert in the field of clearly communicating (safety) instructions. With our e-learnings, we ensure that employees are demonstrably aware of the safety rules.

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