Use of Non-English Workers Joint Member Subscriber Breakfast September 14, 2006

Survey Results A survey among HBR Owner Companies was conducted earlier this year with the following results. Two Owners allow non-English workers on site Several companies indicated they are considering this option Barriers identified regarding non-English workers included; facility emergency procedures – audible and visual communications understanding complex safety and emergency instructions safety and procedural training issues Four companies indicated they would consider all crafts and others indicated they would start with soft crafts and move to more skilled crafts later.

Survey Results The two companies that allow non-English workers require bilingual workers in the ratio of 1 per crew and 1 per 15 workers. No company indicated they were planning to translate site training materials, plant signs, emergency communications, work instructions or work permits. One company indicated they would allow safety meetings conducted in Spanish. None are currently providing ESL for Contractors.

Follow-up Meeting Notes Nine Owner companies recently met to discuss the issue of using non-English workers. Include were Chevron Phillips, Dow Chemicals, DuPont, Lyondell, Lyondell-Citgo, NRG Texas, Pasadena Refining, Rohm & Haas and Shell. Most of those present indicated they were seriously considering use of non-English workers and several have active task groups working to develop plans and requirements. The severe shortage of skilled labor experienced is causing more companies to consider this option. Several companies indicated they were getting push-back from their safety departments. 

Follow-up Meeting Notes One of our member companies reported they have been using non-English workers for years and has applied this to all crafts but most of these persons have been soft craft workers.  One of their major contractors routinely has 10 to 20% non-English workers.  They also reported that no incidents have occurred where non-English was a factor.  Another member company reported they had just implemented a non-English program in July through one of their soft craft contractors. They are very interested in determining if the Contractor can deliver skilled labor as promised. The group has asked HBR to be a clearing house of information about this issue.  Plans are to meet again in December to check progress made.