Improper management of a linguistically diverse workforce can lead to the obvious problems of low morale, poor customer service, and diminished productivity, as mentioned in last week''s article. Far more serious, however, is the potential for loss of life, disability, and financially costly mistakes resulting from ineffective or nonexistent communication, which is the subject of Tina Kelly''s "For Hard Hats, A Confusion of Tongues" (New York Times, December 15, 1999).

Risk scenarios include:  (1) Machine operational manuals and safety warnings and instruction books written only in English, (2) Material Safety Data Sheets (required by law for every chemical on the premises so that workers can be familiar with hazards and the precautions to take) available only in English, (3) Failure of non-English speaking workers to report hazardous conditions out of fear of trying to communicate with the supervisor, or a lack of awareness that there are safety rules which must be followed, and (4) the inability to comprehend warnings in emergency situations. Even OSHA inspectors are often hampered in their safety reviews since part of the procedure is to interview workers.

In addition to the obvious solutions of having appropriate interpreters on hand and translating written materials into the language(s) used at the worksite, other safety measures include using pictograms to warn about hazards and safety procedures, and previously agreed upon sign language for emergency situations. A spokesman for the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York has resurrected the idea of training everyone in a common language, and his union''s apprenticeship programs require English language instruction. The article also mentions that an Al Scott of Cheyenne, Wyoming has written a pocket English-to-Spanish dictionary of construction terms.