Why Safety Document Translations Are A Legal And Ethical Must

For manufacturers operating across international markets or employing multilingual teams, safety is only as strong as the communication that supports it. Yet many manufacturers underestimate the role language plays in risk mitigation. A worker who cannot fully understand an emergency shutdown procedure or hazardous material warning is not just uninformed, they’re endangered. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, foreign-born workers made up 18.1% of the U.S. labor force in 2022 yet accounted for over 23% of fatal occupational injuries, a disproportionate figure often linked to communication barriers. Similarly, a study published in Safety Science found that limited English proficiency was a contributing factor in a significant number of manufacturing related workplace accidents, particularly where safety protocols were poorly understood. Accurate safety document translations ensure that every employee, regardless of their native language, has equal access to the critical information they need to work safely and effectively. 

Laws Supporting safety document translations 

Regulatory laws worldwide mandate that safety information must be provided in a language workers understand. The European Union’s Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC), for instance, requires that instructions for machinery, including risk prevention measures, be available in the official language of the country where the machine is used. In the United States, OSHA has emphasized that training and safety materials must be “understood by all employees,” which includes providing information in their native language when necessary. 

This includes MSDS translation, hazard communication labels, lockout/tagout instructions and even evacuation procedures. Failing to comply can result in legal penalties, delayed operations or employee injury. 

Safety document translations in multilingual teams 

Employee handbook translation and internal communication translations are critical components of a proactive safety strategy. Whether onboarding new staff or issuing updated PPE protocols, it’s not enough to translate for compliance, the goal is comprehension and retention. Clear and accurate translation of employee handbooks is essential for maintaining consistent workplace policies across international teams. In fact, a study published by the Journal of Safety Research revealed that LEP (limited English proficiency) workers were 30% more likely to experience a workplace injury due to miscommunication or failure to comprehend safety documents. A 2021 survey by Slator and Intento reported that 46% of multinational companies said language barriers directly impacted their operational efficiency, especially in onboarding and safety training. By using professional employee handbook translation services, manufacturers can ensure compliance with local labor laws, reduce legal risk and support better onboarding experiences for multilingual employees. 

The cost of inaccurate safety document translations 

The risks of poor translation are well documented. In 2014, Tesoro Corporation, a US petroleum refining company, faced harsh scrutiny after a catastrophic explosion at its Anacortes, Washington plant resulted in 7 fatalities. Investigations revealed that inadequate communication of safety procedures contributed to the tragedy. While not the sole factor, the Chemical Safety Board cited unclear documentation and procedural understanding as systemic issues, highlighting how communication failures, even if unintentional, can have deadly outcomes. 

Similarly, companies failing to invest in professional MSDS translation services have faced multimillion dollar lawsuits and production halts when hazardous material handling instructions were misunderstood by non-English speaking workers. 

The right safety document translations provider 

Ensuring accessible, accurate translations is both a regulatory necessity and a moral responsibility. With over 100 languages offered, a 4,000 vendor pool and over 30 years of experience Language Connections brings industry specific expertise and linguistic accuracy to help you protect your workforce and meet global compliance standards. Your operations may be complex, but keeping your team safe doesn’t have to be.