Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1533584
8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 MARCH 2025 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Google translate and sketches: How safety officers A new study, based on the expe- riences of 12 health and safety officers on construction sites, found that language barriers were putting migrant workers in danger. "Sometimes we had no choice but to use sketches on paper or even Google Translate to get the message across. It wasn't ideal, but it was the only way we could bridge the gap when no profes- sional translator was available," one of the practitioners inter- viewed in the study said. The study, published in the Xjenza science journal, was conducted by researchers Rai- sa Ferranti and Luke Anthony Fiorini from the Centre for La- bour Studies at the University of Malta. It focused on the chal- lenges faced by occupational health and safety officers. The research involved struc- tured interviews with 12 expe- rienced occupational health and safety (OHS) practitioners, all actively working in the sector. These participants, with field experience ranging from 2 to over 20 years, were selected for their expertise. With only 50 OHS practitioners currently working in Malta, the 12 indi- viduals interviewed made up around a quarter of the sector's qualified professionals. The study revealed that many migrant workers, who were in- creasingly filling roles in Mal- ta's most dangerous sector, struggled with basic literacy in English or Maltese. As a result, critical safety instructions were frequently miscommunicated or entirely lost in translation. One of the recurring issues highlighted in the study was the significant challenge OHS professionals faced when trying to communicate essential safe- ty protocols. Due to prevalent language barriers, practitioners often had to resort to makeshift methods, including sketches on paper or even Google Translate, to get the message across. Such ad hoc solutions not only undermined the clarity of safety messages but also placed work- ers at even greater risk. Participants in the study fur- ther noted that these com- munication difficulties were compounded by a lack of standardised training tailored to migrant workers. "Agencies brought workers without any screening, the next day, they were on the job, and that was it," one practitioner said, illus- trating the concerning practice of sending migrant labourers into dangerous environments with minimal preparation. Another participant highlight- ed the disparity in safety cul- ture, stating, "Their culture in OHS is much lower than ours. We had been struggling to in- crease our standards, and then all of a sudden, there was an in- flux of foreign workers with no idea of health and safety." Another participant ex- plained, "Migrant workers did not apply any safety, and I didn't blame them. Because they were not instructed. They were not knowledgeable… When it came to legislation and safety, they were very laid back. And I thought this was one of the big- gest problems." These insights revealed an industry struggling with both high turnover and in- adequate training programmes for migrant workers. Challenges posed by high turnover The high turnover rate among migrant workers exacerbated these challenges. Nearly 25% of foreign workers left the Mal- tese labour market within their first year, and about 50% exited within one to two years. This constant influx and outflux dis- couraged companies from in- vesting in comprehensive train- ing programmes. One seasoned OHS officer recalled a particu- larly dangerous situation: "I faced some situations where the risks were high, and I was aston- ished. I stopped the work right away. These people were put in dangerous situations just be- cause they were immigrants and didn't even know their rights." The study also raised con- cerns about the poor working conditions migrant workers faced. One participant elabo- rated, "[Migrant workers were] forced to work in inhumane sit- uations. You found them there, working on construction sites without awareness—some of them really wanted the job and did everything the master said. They were not assertive enough to refuse hazardous tasks." The study called for urgent reforms, including the need for migrant workers to undergo the same rigorous OHS training as their Maltese counterparts. Researchers suggested that proficiency in either English or Maltese should be a mandatory requirement for all workers to receive a skill card. They also recommended an increase in in- spection frequency and stricter penalties for non-compliance. The dilemma of reporting your employer The study also focused on challenges faced by OHS practi- tioners on Malta's construction sites. One of the most pressing concerns raised by participants was the conflict of interest caused by the way OHS officers were compensated. Many OHS practitioners were paid directly by contractors or the individuals commissioning the work, creating a precari- ous situation when enforcing safety standards. Participants expressed discomfort and fear for their jobs if they pushed for safety measures or reported vi- olations to the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA). As one participant asked, "What were the chances that the health and safety of- ficer would actually report his employer to OHSA?" Moreover, participants not- ed a lack of clarity regarding VACANCY Rizorsi Agrikoli Malta (RAM) is seeking to fill the position of Senior Technical Officer – Project Management (Construction) on a full- time indefinite basis. Duties & Responsibilities: • Lead and manage projects from initiation to completion, including preparing work plans, visiting sites, ensuring budget, timeline, and quality standards are met. • Provide and maintain regular detailed progress and financial reports, highlighting key milestones, risks, and corrective actions. • Ensure all project activities comply with health and safety, legal, quality and regulatory standards and requirements, coordinating with technical teams as necessary. What We're Looking For: • Able to communicate in English and Maltese • A recognised qualification at MQF Level 4 with certification as rubble walls constructor or 2 Advanced Matriculation Level (minimum Grade E) and 2 Intermediate Matriculation Level (Minimum Grade E), which must include 2 of the following subjects: Maltese, English, Mathematics, Information Technology, Computing or Marketing. • Three (3) years relevant working experience in Project Management related to Construction of Rubble walls • Certificate of Conduct issued by the Criminal Records or other competent authority not earlier than one (1) month from the date of application. For further details of requirements and description, or to apply forward CV, covering letter by email to: ram.mafa@gov.mt. All applications must be received by no later that 4 th April 2025, noon and will be acknowledged and treated in strictest confidence. (Jobsplus permit 242/2025) Interviews with OHS officers highlight the language barriers on construction sites and the reluctance of migrant workers to refuse hazardous tasks, often due to a lack of understanding or awareness