How can you make sure your emergency plan is accessible to non-English speakers?

1 Assess your language needs

The first step is to identify the languages spoken by your staff and clients, and the level of proficiency they have in English. You can use surveys, interviews, or observations to gather this information. You should also consider the cultural and literacy factors that may affect how people comprehend and follow your emergency plan. For example, some people may have different expectations or preferences about how to receive and act on emergency instructions, or they may have difficulty reading or writing in any language.

2 Translate your emergency plan

Once you know your language needs, you should translate your emergency plan into the languages that are relevant for your workplace. You can use professional translators, online tools, or bilingual staff to do this, depending on your budget and availability. However, you should always check the quality and accuracy of the translations, and avoid using jargon, slang, or idioms that may not be clear or appropriate in other languages. You should also use simple and consistent terms, symbols, and formats to convey your emergency messages.

3 Distribute and display your emergency plan

After you have translated your emergency plan, you should make it available and visible to your non-English speaking employees and customers. To do this, you can print and post copies of the plan in different languages in strategic locations, such as entrances or exits. Additionally, provide electronic versions of the plan on your website, intranet, or email. You could also create audio or video recordings of the plan in different languages and play them on your PA system, TV screens, or social media platforms. Finally, incorporate the plan into orientation, training, or communication materials.

4 Test and update your emergency plan

Finally, you should test and update your emergency plan regularly to make sure it is effective and relevant for your non-English speaking staff and clients. You can use drills, exercises, or simulations to evaluate how well your emergency plan works in different scenarios and languages. You should also solicit feedback from your non-English speaking employees and customers on how to improve your emergency plan and address any issues or gaps. You should also monitor any changes in your language needs or emergency situations and revise your emergency plan accordingly.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?