Why CALD Workers Need More Than Words
Author: Alex Tillman, Principal Consultant
Safety Inclusion By Design
Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) workers are a critical part of Australia’s workforce, but data from WHS regulators shows they are disproportionately affected by workplace injuries and psychosocial harm. CALD and migrant workers are consistently identified as being more likely to be harmed at work than other groups, requiring targeted and culturally responsive approaches to safety management.
Why the system is failing CALD Workers
Several interconnected reasons exist why CALD workers experience higher rates of workplace incidents. Primary is the language and literacy barriers, which can hinder understanding of safety procedures, rights, and obligations. This is also a barrier to comprehension of written safety procedures and technical instructions.
CALD workers are also overrepresented in high-risk industries such as construction, manufacturing, and warehousing, and may be allocated higher-risk tasks within those roles. Cultural factors can further compound risk where workers may be reluctant to speak up about hazards, incidents or unsafe practices due to fear of job loss, visa concerns, or differing attitudes towards authority.
Unfamiliarity with Australian workplace systems and limited exposure to formal WHS frameworks can reduce awareness of safe work practices and reporting processes, increasing vulnerability to both physical and psychosocial harm.
Translate, Visualise, Engage: Tech for Inclusive Safety
Traditional written procedures are often insufficient for CALD workers, particularly where English proficiency is limited. CALD workers’ communication needs should be identified and then training and safety information provided in multiple formats, including audio, visual, and translated materials in alignment with those needs.
Technology offers practical solutions. For example, QR codes can be used onsite to link workers directly to short instructional videos in their preferred language.
Video and visual-based communication can improve understanding by:
Demonstrating tasks rather than relying solely on written instructions
Reducing misinterpretation of complex terminology
Supporting workers with low literacy levels
Good practice includes diagrams, practical demonstrations, and competency-based assessments to confirm understanding rather than assuming comprehension.
Does Your Psychosocial Risk Management Program Reach CALD Workers?
CALD workers have been identified as a higher-risk group for psychological injury, prompting the need for effectively translated resources and targeted support initiatives.
To effectively support CALD workers, psychosocial support programs should address the key challenges:
Communication barriers that limit participation in consultation processes
Reluctance to report issues due to cultural or job security concerns
Exposure to harmful behaviours, including discrimination or exclusion
Employers should ensure programs are inclusive by:
Providing translated mental health and reporting resources
Offering multiple consultation channels (e.g. anonymous reporting, interpreters)
Training supervisors in cultural awareness
Encouraging a speak-up culture that reassures workers there will be no negative consequences
A range of guidance materials is available to support organisations in effectively communicating with CALD workers, including resources developed by WHS regulators and industry bodies. These materials highlight the importance of tailoring communication, consultation, and training to suit the cultural and language needs of workers.
Conclusion
Effectively managing risks for CALD workers requires more than compliance—it demands culturally responsive systems. By leveraging technology like QR-coded multilingual videos and embedding inclusive psychosocial practices, organisations can significantly improve safety outcomes and create workplaces where all workers feel informed, supported, and safe.
Want to improve safety outcomes for your CALD workforce? Contact us to discuss how we can support your organisation with tailored, culturally responsive solutions—from communication strategies to psychosocial risk management.
More Information links:
SafeWork NSW Translated resources
SafeWork NSW; Conversation guide with workers about psychosocial hazards
WorkSafeACT: Supporting culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) workers
WorkSafe Victoria WorkWell Toolkit: Support your culturally and linguistically diverse workforce
WorkSafe Western Australia: Work health and safety: Translated information
