Compliance code: Communicating occupational health and safety across languages

What it contains

Employers have specific duties and obligations they need to comply with under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act) 2004 and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (OHS Regulations) 2017 for communicating OHS matters to employees in appropriate languages.

This compliance code has been made available solely as a source of practical guidance, to contribute to industry state of knowledge and assist those who must comply with health and safety laws.

This information is particularly relevant if you’re an employer or health and safety representative (HSR) of a linguistically diverse workplace. It uses examples and tools you can apply to your own workplace.

• the duties for employers in linguistically diverse workplaces
• duties to consult with health and safety representatives (HSRs) and employees on OHS matters
• how to identify language groups within the workforce
• techniques for communicating across languages
• suitable approaches to provide information and undertake consultation
• using translators, interpreters and bilingual staff
• how to provide effective training