The hazard
A lot of the safety on a job depends on messages getting through: the morning plan, a shouted warning, a hand signal to an operator, a tag on a switch, a label on a drum. On a crew that speaks more than one language, any of those messages can get lost without anyone noticing. A nod does not always mean someone understood. Clear communication is a safety control, just like a guard or a harness.
The action
A tag on a valve, switch or piece of equipment is there to stop you before you get hurt. In general industry, the signal word and main message on an accident prevention tag must be understandable to all employees who may be exposed to the hazard. If you find a tag you cannot read, leave the equipment alone and ask before you touch it. (29 CFR 1910.145(f)(4)(iv))
ASK THE CREW
Who on this crew can help translate, and what do we do when that person is not here?
From the talk: Safety communication on mixed-language crews. Read it in full, free, with the questions and the sign-in sheet.