Saying and doing: CALD workers' experience of communicating safety in aged care

The findings reveal that health and safety is a relational practice reliant on interactions between participants at the person-task-organization interface. Cultural identity also significantly affected CALD workers' participation in health and safety communication. Particular attention needs to be given to overcoming reticence which limits effective communication between workers during daily work. Cultural as well as linguistic differences impact on the communication and participation of CALD workers in health and safety at work. Reticence and different practices for showing respect may impede CALD workers active participation. Solutions involve attention to training, job and management systems design with a focus on participation and inter-cultural awareness.