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In 2017 , the Petroleum Safety Authority ( PSA ) in Norway issued a statement reminding stakeholders and industry members that the Norwegian language must take priority over foreign languages in its offshore industry , citing a report that claimed nearly 40 percent of offshore employees who answered a questionnaire in 2015 agreed issues arose because of the language barrier .
While the PSA ’ s approach in Norway appears to be the simplest solution , it ’ s not realistic today with our global workforce . The number of languages spoken on an oil rig can vary , but it ’ s not uncommon for a diverse workforce to speak multiple languages . Workers may come from different countries , and language diversity can pose challenges for effective communication . If a Norwegian oil and gas company limits their hiring to only those who are proficient in the Norwegian language , they ’ re missing out on a large pool of qualified candidates .
This is precisely why in our training programs we introduce oil rig leaders and employees to Pocketalk , a handheld translation device capable of translating 84 + languages and dialects .
Translation for a multinational workforce
Pocketalk ’ s impact is felt across multiple dimensions , enabling effective communication regardless of the native language . For a fraction of the cost of a human interpreter , these devices not only enhance training efficacy but also strengthen safety by ensuring that team members fully understand hazards , risks , and safety protocols . Pocketalk General Manager of North America Joe Miller understands the critical importance of communication in the oil and gas industry and is steadfast in his company ’ s commitment to promoting a safe working environment .
Our partnership is centered around fostering leadership in a multilingual environment . In the high-stakes industry of oil and gas , effective communication is about conveying leadership principles , ensuring safety , and fostering a cohesive team culture . Our coaches work to instill a culture that allows for two-way communication between leaders and their employees , leaving room for employees to feel comfortable asking questions and requesting more information if needed . We call this the ‘ language of leadership ’, and translation tools allow anyone , regardless of their background , to understand and participate in the language of leadership .
Encouraging the use of translation tools like Pocketalk in a multilingual environment fosters an environment for better understanding and collaboration among the crew . Leveraging technology , and fostering a culture of clear communication , organizations can efficiently mitigate the risks associated with linguistic diversity in a way that is easy to scale at an incredibly low cost .
As the oil industry increasingly spreads across the globe , with new hotspots emerging each year , now is the time to start catering to a multinational workforce . Oil and gas companies that embrace a culture of clear two-way communication , offering translation tools to cater to workers of different backgrounds , are better positioned to avoid workplace injury and death . Moreover , they can hire workers from a much larger pool of qualified candidates . Let us commit to a safer future , one where communication is the cornerstone of workplace safety on oil rigs . ■
For a list of the sources used in this article , please contact the editor .
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