WITH the influx of skilled migrant workers in the South East expected after the May 1 expansion of the European Union, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is concerned about the dangers of increased on-site construction-related accidents due to language barriers.

The RICS is urging Britain’s construction industry to provide basic English lessons to its increasing numbers of non-English speaking construction workers.

This will be especially relevant to Kent, where a huge amount of construction is planned.

Currently more than one person dies each week on building sites in the UK. A better understanding of English would not only reduce site deaths but also boost productivity.

The recently published Egan Skills Review (April 19) seeks to promote better communication and co-operation at the professional end of the £60bn construction industry.

But at the other end of the scale even basic English cannot be guaranteed because an increasing proportion of labourers and craftsmen do not speak the language.

Trevor Hines, RICS South East director, said: “If any dent is to be made in the seemingly insatiable demand for housing in the South East, for example, even more construction work than is currently forecast will need to be done.

“Workmen from abroad are often highly skilled and represent value for money, and many projects could not be completed without them. But there are reports of mistakes being made due to language barriers.

“The single most helpful thing to a migrant worker would be to help them learn the language of the country in which they are living and working. A fluent workforce would be a safer and more productive one.”